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FULFILLING 


OF    THE 


SCRIPTURE 


AN  ESSAY, 

SHEWING  THE  EXACT  ACCOMPLISHMENT  OF  THE  WORD 

OF  GOD  IN  HIS  WORKS  PERFORMED  AND 

TO  BE  PERFORMED. 


FOR  CONFIRMING  OF  BELIEVERS,  AND  CONVINCING  ATHEISTS  OF  THE 
PRESENT  TIME  : 

CONTAINING  SOME  RARE  HISTORIES  OF  THE  WORKS  AND 

THE  SERVANTS  OF  GOB  IN  THE  CHURCH 

OF  SCOTLAND. 


By  Rev.  ROBERT  FLEMING, 

Pastor  of  a  Church  in  Rotterdam. 


THIS  SCRIPTURE  MUST  NEEDS  HAVE  BEEN  FULFILLED ACTS  1.  16. 

AND  THE  SCRIPTURE  CANNOT  BE  BROKEN. JOHN  X.  35. 


CHARLESTOWN  : 

Printed  and  sold  by  SAMUEL  ETHERIDGE; 

Sold  also  by  said  S.  ETHERIDGE  and  E.  BLISS,  at  tteir  Bookstore, 

No.  12,  Cornhill,  BOSTON. 


1806. 


PREFACE. 


Ti 


HE  edition  of  the  following  excellent 
and  celebrated  work,  copied  by  the  present 
editor,  was  published  in  Boston,  1743,  with  a 
preface  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Foxcroft. 
From  this  preface  it  appears,  that  this  work, 
had  at  that  period  passed  through  numerous 
editions  in  various  countries,  and  been  revised 
and  enlarged,  by  the  author,  and  an  Appen- 
dix added,  containing  "  practical  reflections, 
and  proper  uses  of  the  whole."  The  copy 
was  also  corrected,  and  the  diction,  in  some 
instances,  improved  by  Mr.  Foxcroft,  without, 
however,  in  any  instance,  altering  the  sense. 
The  same  liberty  has  been  taken  in  a  few  cases, 
in  the  present  edition. 

The  following  account  of  this  work  is  from 
Mr.  Foxcroft's  preface.  "  The  first  and  other 
editions  of  the  present  treatise  were  anony- 
mous :  But  I  have  taken  the  freedom  to  prefix 
the  reputed  writer's  name  to  this  ;  though  not 
so  much  upon  the  credit  of  tradition  and  com- 
mon fame,  as  of  an  express  testimony,  which 
the  Rev.  Daniel  Burgess  has  left  us  of  the 
fact ;  who  having  discovered  the  author  about 
the  year  1693,  corresponded  with  him,  then 
,  living  in  Holland,  and  drew  him  out  of  his 
concealment.  In  his  edition  of  the  treatise, 
entitled,   The  confirming    Work   of  Religion^  he 


TIIEFACE. 


has,  to  do  honour  to  the  writer,  inserted  in  the 
title  page  this  clause,  "Written  by  R.  Flem- 
ing, author  of  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scrip- 
tures." And  in  his  epistle  to  the  reader  he 
has  the  following  paragraphs,  which  I  take 
leave  to  transcribe  into  mine.    • 

"  The  highest  angels  are  most  humble  crea- 
tures. The  church  of  God  is  full  of  their 
services  ;  but  knoweth  next  to  nothing  of  their 
names.  Their  works  praise  their  Lord  and 
ours,  but  not  themselves.  And  if  the  evangel- 
ical author  of  this  book  could  have  had  his 
will,  the  churches  of  Christ  should  not  have 
had  his  name.  He  would  have  kept  himself 
.together  a  benefactor  and  a  sort  of  stranger 
unto  them. 

"  Against  his  will  it  came  to  be  known,  that 
his  book  of  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scriptures  was 
his.  And  by  the  divine  providence  it  was 
made  necessary,  that  his  latter  works  should 
bear  his  name.  Obscurity  was  his  ambition ; 
though  his  gifts  and  graces  prove  too  big  and 
too  bright  to  be  covered.  And,  in  short,  it 
hath  pleased  the  supreme  Ruler,  and  fountain 
of  honour,  to  honour  him  whether  he  would 
or  no. 

"  The  book  first  named  (The  Fulfilling  of 
the  Scriptures,)  is  followed  with  the  eulogies 
of  the  greatest  divines  ;  and  is  a  manna  sweet 
to  the  taste  of  all  serious  christians.  His  epis- 
tolary Discourse,  dedicated  to  the  Queen's  maj- 
esty, was  most  graciously  accepted  by  her,  and 
highly  valued  by  those,  that  I  must  think  the. 


PREFACE. 


best  of  her  subjects.  Being,  as  is  his  Discourse7 
of  Earthquakes,  a  treasure  of  things  old  and 
new  ;  Michtam's,  golden  jewels  ;  arguments, 
several,  not  so  much  as  touched  by  any  pen 
within  her  dominions,  or  beyond  them,  save 
Mr.  Fleming's." 

"  The  said  Rev.  editor  has  added,  the  judg- 
ment of  some  London  ministers  concerning 
one  of  his  treatises,  who  say,  "  We  give  our 
great  thanks  to  the  author  of  every  good  gift, 
who  hath  drawn  this  his  richly  furnished 
scribe,  to  supply  us  with  so  very  needful  a  trea- 
tise, as  is  here  offered.  Some  of  us  do  profess, 
that  in  reading  it  we  were  surprised  with  joy, 
and  with  wonder,  that  a  topic  so  little  written, 
discoursed,  or  thought  of,  should  be  treated  on 
with  such  depth  of  judgment,  and  with  such 
experience  as  is  r?rely  found  in  the  most  laud- 
ible  writers.  Through  the  divine  blessing, 
which  we  implore,  we  hope,  that  we  and  our 
brethren  throughout  these  nations  shall  find 
good  success  of  our  people's  use  of  this  most 
instructive  work.  For  which,  with  the  excel- 
lent author,  (who  did  but  consent  to  this  edi- 
tion of  it)  we  are  indebted  unto  the  Reverend 
and  worthy  publisher,  by  whose  means  we  re- 
ceive it.  We  join  with  both  of  them,  in  prayer 
to  the  -Most  High,  that  this  rich  seed  of  the 
sower  may  be  made  bread  of  life  to  the  eater." 
The  above  attestation  is  signed  by  the'  late  Dr, 
Bates,  Mr.  Mead,  Mr.  Cole,  Mr.  Howe,  Mr. 
Sylvester,  Dr.  Williams,  and  Mr.  Showers,  some 
ot  the  most  burning  and  shining  lights  among 
the  dissenting  ministers  of  the  last  age. 


6  PREFACE. 

"  After  so  ample  and  honourable  testimonies 
from  such  eminent  hands,  and  contemporary 
with  Mr.  Fleming,  it  were  a  needless  and  a 
vain  attempt  in  me,  to  offer  any  thing  further 
in  praise  of  the  author  of  The  Fulfilling  of  the 
Scriptures,  or  in  order  to  bespeak  a  welcome 
reception  of  this  his  performance  among  us. 
I  trust  it  will  be  found  a  word  in  season." 

The  present  editor  cheerfully  adds  his  testi- 
mony to  the  great  merits  of  this  work,  his 
opinion  of  its  peculiar  adaptedness  to  the  pres- 
ent times,'  and  his  hearty  good  wishes  and 
prayers,  that  it  may,  by  the  blessing  of  God, 
be  instrumental  of  strengthening  the  faith,  en- 
livening the  hopes,  and  increasing  the  piety  of 
thousands  of  its  readers. 

Charlestown,  March  2$th>  1806. 


THE  AUTHOR'S 

EPISTLE  TO  THE  READER. 


kv^^^H 


IT  is  like  you  may  expect  some  account  of  the 
rise  and  occasion  of  this  discourse  ;  that  on  so  great  and 
weighty  a  subject,  so  small  an  essay  should  venture 
abroad;  especially  in  a  time,  when  it  seemeth  more 
safe  and  prudent,  to  keep  silence,  to  be  swift  to  bear, 
and  slow  to  speak,  which  seldom  hath  an  after  challenge. 
The  author  will  say  little  for  his  apology  herein,  though 
he  hopeth,  he  may  find  it  more  easy  to  satisfy  others, 
than  he  did  himself.  This  freedom  only  he  shall  take, 
to  confess,  that  sometimes  it  had  been  matter  of  earnest, 
yea,  hath  caused  some  tossing  and  exercise  upon  his 
spirit,  and  pressed  a  more  serious  inquiry  and  search, 
with  respect  to  bis  own  case,  to  be  persuaded  about  the 
scripture's  divine  authority,  that  godliness  is  not  an 
empty  name  or  shadow,  but  of  an  undoubted  truth, 
what  indeed  of  all  other  things  is  the  greatest,  and  of 
most  near  concernment.  And  truly  about  that,  this 
grave  convincing  argument  of  the  scripture's  certain  ac- 
complisbment ,hath  not  only  oft  stared  him  in  the  face, 
with  a  satisfying  discovery  and  impression  thereof,  as  a 
most  quieting  and  unanswerable  demonstration  of  the 
truth ;  but  he  must  also  say,  that  by  very  remarkable  con- 
firmations from  the  Lord  this  hath  been  so  convincingly 
witnessed  to  his  experience,  as  leaveth  him  under  en- 
gagement (were  such  a  poor  testimony  of  weight)  to  put 
his  seal  to  the  word,  that  it  fallcth  not  to  the  ground, 
neither  doth  the  promise  of  God  fail. 


3  To  the  Reader. 

It  is  a  dark  time  now  with  the  church  of  Christ ;  which 
we  see  every  where  almost  suffering  and  afflicted,  whilst 
the  whole  earth  besides  seemeth  to  be  at  ease  :  christ- 
iansalso  even  beyond  others  in  their  private  lot,  assault- 
ed with  very  sharp  trials ;  though,  I  think,  suffering 
may  be  the  least  of  oar  fear  at  this  day,  while  atheism 
doth  now  appear  on  so  formidable  a  growth,  and  hath 
a  more  threatening  aspect,  than  the  rage  or  violence  of 
men.     We  see  a  sad  decay  likewise  on  the  churches 
abroad ;  religion  every  where  under  a  great  consump- 
tion, and  wearing  out,  that  seemeth  to  have  reached  it  in 
its  vital  parts.     Men  search  after  an  unusual  way  of  sin- 
ning, as  if  they  scorned  to  be  wicked  at  a  common  and 
ordinary  rate  ;  prejudice  easily  taken  up  and  entertain- 
ed against  the  way  of  God  ;  whilst  the  good  man  doth 
(alas  !)  perish,  without  any  affecting  observation  there- 
of; the  choice  and  excellent  of  the  earth  plucked  away, 
and  none  to  fill  their  room  ;  christians'  burials  now  fre- 
quent, but  the  birth  and  inbi  inging  of  such  to  the  church, 
rare.     This  is  indeed  a  sad  subject,  and  so  much  the 
sadder,  that  few  are   found  whose  eye  ajfecteth  their 
heart,  whose  tears  and  groaning  seem  to  answer  such  a 
stroke  and  ruin  which  now  is  like  to  fall  under  our  hand ; 
but  I  shall  leave  this.     Prayer  will  be  the  best  cure, 
and  is  this  day  more  fit,  than  complaining,  to  turn  unto 
him,  vA\o$ceth  the  ways  of  his  people,  that  he  may  heal 
them,  and  can  prevent  those  with  mercy,  who  seem  least 
fit  for  the  same.     Only  two  or  three  sad  remarks  of  this 
time,  I  cannot  altogether  pass  ;  which  indeed  are  strange 
symptoms  of  the  church's  present  case  and  distemper. 
(1.)  To  see  men  own  the  doctrine  of  sane tifi 'cation,  who 
yet  can  professedly  disown,  yea,  make  it  their  work  by 
reproach  to  beget  a  prejudice  against  the  practice  there- 
of.   Oh  strange  !  to  find  such  as  will  dip  their  pen  in 


To  the  Reader.  9 

gall  against  a  tender  and  strict  walk  in  religion,  and  re- 
vile it  in  the  power  thereof ;  whilst  they  do  not  deny 
those  truths,  and  principles,  that  necessarily  oblige  to 
such  a  tender  practice  ;  who,  in  the  most  grave  and  in- 
teresting duties  of  Christianity,  think  it  enough  to  charge 
their  brethren  with  Pharisaical  ostentation,  and  hypoc- 
risy, whilst  they  must  confess  these  duties  to  be  unques- 
tionably binding  ;  and  that  they  can  be  no  competent 
judges  of  such  a  challenge,  which  the  great  witness  of 
the  heart  and  inward  parts  of  men  can  only  determine 
(2.)  It  is  a  sad  remark  also  of  the  time,  that  protest  ant 
writers,  professing  the  reform  of  religion,  shall  state 
themselves  in  opposition  to  the  most  important  grounds 
thereof,  such  as  imputed  righteousness,  and  justification 
by  faith>  which  is  well  called  Articulus  stands  et  caden- 
lis  Ecclesia.  I  cannot  have  that  charity,  that  it  is  from; 
ignorance,  but  from  a  height  of  malice,  that  some  of  late 
reproach  the  protestant  doctrine,  in  this  great  funda- 
mental of  justification  ;  as  if  it  pressed  believing  and 
resting  upon  Christ  without  respect  to  works  and  holi- 
ness. I  confess,  we  put  not  inherent  righteousness  in 
the  room  of  imputed;  though  we  assert  each  is  neces- 
sary in  their  own  place,  the  one  In  order  to  our  right, 
the  other  in  order  to  our  actual  and  full  possession  of 
that  right,  yea,  that  holiness  is  absolutely  necessary,  not 
only  necessitate  precepti,  sect  medii :  and  justifying  faith 
doth  necessarily  require  works,  sednon  qua,  et  quatenus 
justificat.  But  sure,  if  these  men  grant  that  we  are 
justified  by  the  satisfaction  of  Christ,  they  must  needs 
Confess  it  is  by  imputation  ;  since  if  the  debtor  be  ac- 
quitted by  the  cautioners  payment,  is  it  not  by  the  im- 
putation  thereof  to  him  ?  O  sad  !  to  see  some  put  their 
invention  upon  the  rack  how  to  wound  the  church  (yea, 


!•  To  the  Reader. 

a  death  wound  it  would  be,  if  they  could  reach  their 
end)  in  that  great  truth  ottmputed  righteousness  !  But  it 
were  best  they  denied  that  6th  ver.  of  the  Ath  chap,  to 
the  Rom.  to  be  canonical  scripture,  which  none  can  read 
and  shift ;  it  being  so  clear,  that  the  blessed  man  is  there 
"held  forth,  unto  whom  God  impateth  righteousness  with- 
out works.  Sure  that  cannot  be  inherent  righteousness, 
else  it  were  contradictio  in  adjecto.  I  profess,  those 
'(whatever  they  pretend)  I  must  look  on  as  adversaries 
to  the  reformed  churches ;  and  there  is  nothing  more 
dangerous  than  a  pirate  going  forth  under  a  counterfeit 
flag.  (3.)  Is  it  not  likewise  sad,  yea,  astonishing  to 
see,  ministers  now  in  these  times,  who  are  the  express 
ambassadors  of  Christ  given  to  the  church  for  her  edifi- 
cation, stand  so  directly  cross  to  the' very  end  of  their 
work  and  ministry ;  many,  of  whom  it  may  be  said,  that 
knowingly  and  deliberately  they  oppose  piety  !  That 
such  should  persecute,  whose  work  is  to  feed ;  should 
wound,  instead  of  healing  ;  grieve  the  spirit  of  the  godly, 
who  should  be  helpers  of  their  joy  t  that  none  are  a 
greater  plague,  to  corrupt  the  church,  and  cause  ther 
sacrifices  of  the  Lord  to  be  abhorred,  than  some  of  those 
who  should  be  the  salt  of  the  earth  f  yea,  none  more 
obstruct  the  treat y  of  the  gospel,  betwixt  Christ  and  his 
church,  than  ministers  who  are  called  the  friends  of  the 
bridegroom  !  Oh  what  a  strange  and  astonishing  con- 
tradiction  may  this  seem  \  But  it  should  be  no  reproach 
to  that  holy  and  excellent  calling  of  the  ministry  ;  for  of 
such  the  scripture  hath  expressly  warned.  I  confess,  it 
may  be  said,  no  atheist  like  an  unsanctified  minister  ; 
yea,  no  atheism  of  so  black  a  die  as  theirs,  who  being 
still  employed  about  holy  things,  have  yet  no  sense 
thereof. 


TotheRcadtr.  11 

Now  in  this  very  dark  hour,  wherein  the  church 
seeraeth  to  have  fallen  into  a  death  like  pang,  and  many  of 
her  children  in  a  sad  lethargy,  that  if  we  looked  in  an  ordi- 
nary way,  her  wound  might  seem  incur 'able \  there  are  two 
great  and  concerning  queries,  that  I  think  should  much 
take  us  up.  The  one  is,  to  know  what  the  scripture 
speaketh  to  the  church  ;  what  solid  ground  of  encourage- 
ment is  there  held  forth  ?  For  truly,  if  we  had  not  that 
sure  testimony  of  the  word,  we  might  fear,  religion 
would  quite  wear  out,  and  truth  perish  from  the  earth  : 
but  doth  the  scripture  speak  pea£e  ?  all  then  is  well. 
That  (O  that  J  is  sufficient  security,  to  put  the  church's 
hope  beyond  further  debate  ;  chough  men  should  threat- 
en, though  the  earth  were  overturned,  and  the  founda- 
tion shaken  !  This  is  a  determination,  above  men,  above 
all  the  rules  of  human  policy,  yea,  above  the  stars,  which 
frustrateth  the  tokens  of  the  liars  >  and  makelli  diviners 
mad ;  even  that  revealed  counsel  of  Cod,  taking  place 
about  his  work  and  people* 

I  know,  some  grave  writers  of  these  late  times  do  ex- 
press their  fear,  that  the  horrid  wickedness  and  apostacy 
of  the  gentile  church  may  at  last  resolve  in  the  Lord's 
departure,  and  an  universal  darkness  ;  that  as  the  rejec- 
tion of  the  Jews  made  way  for  the  Gentiles  incoming,  so 
their  fall  may  as  remarkably  precede  that  solemn  return 
and  restoration  of  the  Jewish  church  ;  it  is  also  become 
the  fear  of  many,  that  popery  may  yet  once  overrun  the 
whole  reformed  churches,  before  antichrist's  fall.  But 
since  these  sad  thoughts  nor  any  appearance  of  the  time, 
are  no  part  of  our  bible,  we  should  learn  neither  to 
stretch  our  fears,  nor  expectations,  beyond  that  which 
the  scripture  warranteth  :  and  if  the  Lord  be  God,  and 
this  his  very  word,  let  us  adhere  to  it,  and  waif  or  its  ac- 


J2  7!?  the  Reader. 

complishment.  A  second  Query,  which  is  indeed  no  les^ 
important  in  such  a  time,  may  be  about  duty  :  What  do 
so  eminent  a  hazard  of  the  church,  and  this  great  decay 
of  Christianity ,  most  pressingiy  call  for  ?  But  this  is  a 
subject  which  requireth  another  pen,  and  too  large,  to 
touch  with  a  passing  word  :  yea,  we  may  say,  the  great 
want  of  these  days  is  not  about  the  discovery  of  duty, 
but  of  the  practice  of  known,  and  discovered  duties. 
For  the  Scripture  giveth  a  certain  and  distinct  sound,  in 
the  darkest  time  ;  and  hath  not  left  us  to  doubtful  inT 
quiries,  and  debate  in  this  matter.  I  shall  therefore 
leave  it,  with  a  few  things  only  to  be  in  the  general  con- 
sidered. 

(1.)  It  is  sure,  that  ever y  time  hath  its  present  duty  ; 
and  the  wise  discerners  thereof  will  know  thence  what 
they  ought  to  do,  what  work  and  service  the  present  cir- 
cumstances of  that  time  call  for.  Shall  the  earth  have 
its  seasons,  wherein  things  are  beautiful  ?  shall  the  stork 
and  swallow  know  their  time  ?  and  yet  christians  not 
know  how  to  bring  forth  fruit  in  their  season,  and  dis- 
cern the  special  time  and  opportunity  of  duty  ! 

(2.)  It  is  also  sure,  that  every  christian,  in  whatsoever 
capacity  or  condition,  as  he  hath  his  measure  and  talent, 
so  hath  some  work,  and  opportunity  of  duty  ;  wherein 
they  may  serve  the  Lord  in  their  generation :  yea,  it  is 
not  the  meanest  lot  or  condition,  that  shutteth  that  door 
upon  any,  that  they  have  no  work  for  God,  who  desire 
to  be  faithful  for  him.  O  that  in  this  threatening  time, 
when  darkness  is  like  to  overspread  the  church,  it  were 
more  upon  the  hearts  of  christians,  to  strive  together, 
and  contend  by  a  serious  improvement  of  their  several 
capacities,  to  preserve  religion,  and  transmit  the  knowl- 
edge of  Jesus  Christ  to  posterity  ;  that  the  christian  par- 


To  the  Reader.  13 

,cnt,  or  master  of  a  family,  did  witness  more  that  great 
resolution,  in  a  time  when  many  are  drawing  back. 
But  as  for  me,  I  and  my  house  we  will  serve  the  Lord  ! 

(3.)  It  is  found,  that  the  most  eminent  and  honourable 
Service  of  the  church  doth  usually  befal  her  in  a  low  and 
suffering  condition.  When  there  hath  been  but  little 
strength,  and  many  outward  disadvantages,  then  both 
their  call  and  furniture  hath  been  most  observable,  to 
confess  the  truth,  to  endure  for  the  gospel  of  Christ,  to 
overcome  by  the  word  of  his  testimony  ;  a  piece  of  ser^ 
vice,  whereto  more  prosperous  times  do  not  give  such 
an  opportunity.  Yea,  it  hath  been  in  such  a  case,  Dan. 
xi.  32.  that  those  who  knew  their  God,  were  made  strong 
to  do  exploits. 

(4.)  It  doth  much  concern  us,  to  put  a  high  value  oil 
the  truth,  in  a  time  when  men  must  either  lose  it,  or  buy 
it.  And  O  !  what  a  choice  purchase  is  that,  which  can- 
not be  bought  too  dear,  though  at  the  rate  of  our  liberty, 
estate,  credit  and  reputation,  yea,  with  the  loss  of  peace, 
when  it  cometh  in  competition  with  it  ?  For  it  is  that 
great  depositum  once  delivered  to  the  saints,  the  inherit- 
ance of  our  children,  that  way  whereby  Jesus  Christ 
keepeth  intercourse  with  his  bride  on  the  earth,  yea,  the 
charter  of  all  our  mercies,  and  of  our  hope  through  eter- 
nity. 

(5.)  Though  every  line  of  divine  truth  is  inestimable'; 
yet  it  is  sure,  there  is  a  more  pressing  call  for  our  adher- 
ence to  that  truth,  which  is  most  controverted  in  the 
time.  For  it  is  the  word  of  his  patience,  and  the  matter  of 
our  present  testimony  :  and  it  is  known  through  all  ages, 
what  a  singular  blessing  hath  followed  the  contending  and 
witnessing  of  a  few  for  the  truth  (in  a  torrent  of  public 
defection  J  to  keep  it  alive ,  when  it  was  like  to  be  swal- 


14  To.  tie  R&addt . 

lowed  up  ;  yea,  to  effects  above  rational  belief ;  units 
Athanasius  contra  tot  urn  orbem  !  Many  such  remarks 
have  not  been  wanting. 

(6.)  I  shall  only  add,  that  which  is  always  necessary 
and  binding,  yet  we  may  say  in  a  time  of  the  church's 
hazard  and  suffering  is  more  pressingly  called  for,  even 
the  study  of  christian  prudence;  a  duty  convincingly 
necessary,  for  regulating  of  duties,  according  to  the  cir- 
cumstances  of  the  church's  case  :  which  doth  so  nearly 
concern  the  interest  and  preservation  o?  religion,  that  I 
must  say,  A  breach  in  that  concord  betwixt  zeal  and 
christian  prudence,  when  there  is  not  some  equal  respect 
studied  in  the  exercise  of  bothy  cannot  but  give  the  church 
a  sore  wound.  This  is  indeed  a  large  theme  ;  but  I 
shall  only  point  at  in  three  things. 

1.  In  our  avoiding  and  being  tender  to  give  offence ; 
not  only  to  keep  a  distance  from  evil,  but  from  the  small- 
est appearance  thereof.  I  must  say,  they  are  bad  casu- 
ists, and  have  little  respect  to  the  church's  edification, 
who  make  it  their  work,  not  so  much  to  keep  men  from 
sin,  as  to  shew  them,  quamprope  ad  peccatum  sine  pec- 
cat  o  accedere  lice  at,  O  what  a  becoming  fear  is  that,  not 
to  lay  a  stumbling  block  in  the  way  of  others,  to  grieve 
the  weak,  or  confirm  such  who  use  to  found  their  preju- 
dice against  the  truth  and  way  of  God,  upon  the  mi  scar* 
tiage  of  such  as  profess  the  same. 

2.  This  excellent  study  of  christian  prudence  hath  a 
respect  to  men's  taking  offence,  as  well  as  their  giving  it ; 
to  our  being  sober  in  judging,  in  personal  reflections,  to 
cover  and  hide  the  infirmities  of  others,  rather  than 
spread  them,  even  for  the  gospel's  sake  ;  yea,  to  shut  as 
it  were  our  eyes,  and  cast  a  mantle  on  their  nakedness, 
who,  though  overtaken  with  the  violence  of  some  temp- 
tation may  yet  be  serviceable  to  the  church  ;  but  espc- 


To  the  Reader.  IS 

dally  this  should  press  us  to  a  watchful  regard  of  any 
breach  and  rent  in  the  churchy  and  to  study  a  healing  spir- 
it, so  far  as  is  possible,  without  prejudice  to  truth. 

3.  It  is  also  an  important  piece  of  christian  prudence* 
how  to  walk  xviscly  towards  those  who  are  without,  when 
prejudice  against  the  way  of  God  is  now  in  such  a 
growth  ;  to  study  how  we  may  convince,  gain  ground, 
and  by  christianly  prudent  and  tender  carriage  conciliate 
respect  to  the  truth  ;  and  thus  commend  holiness,  and 
those  who  profess  it,  to  the  conscience  of  men  ;  to  study 
that  rule  of  expediency  much  in  things  of  themselves 
warrantable,  what  fitness  and  advantage  present  circum- 
stances may  offer,  or  deny  for  edification  and  promoting, 
(hat  great  interest  of  the  gospel  in  our  converse  with  men. 

I  shall  now  cease  to  trouble  you  further  ;  only  would 
premise  some  few  things  with  a  respect  to  the  subject  of 
this  following  essay. 

(1.)  Should  we  not  with  wonder  and  astonishment  look 
on  this  great  record  of  the  scripture  ?  By  which  the  glo- 
rious majesty  of  God  doth  speak  to  men,  yea  doth  as 
certainly  communicate  his  counsel  and  mind,  we  may- 
say  more  certainly,  than  if  we  had  an  immediate  audible 
voice  from  heaven.  O  could  we  have  such  ordinary 
thoughts  of  this,  if  we  consider  how  near  God  cometh 
therein  to  us  ?  I  think.,  if  there  were  but  one  corner  of  the 
earth,  though  in  the  remotest  parts,  where  men  might  go 
and  get  a  look  of  so  wonderful  and  important  a  thing  as 
God's  express  will  written  and  sent  from  heaven  to  the 
earth,  about  our  duty  here,  and  blessedness  for  ever, 
should  we  not  think  it  worth  our  crossing  the  sea,  and 
the  greatest  expense  of  time  or  labour  ?  It  is  truly  a 
wonder  how  we  can  read  and  consider  the  scripture* 
without  wondering. 


16  To  the  Reader. 

(2.)  It  is  a  great  concernment,  to  know  that  the  scrip- 
ture hath  such  a  witness,  as  experience  !  and  that  there  is 
such  a  trade  and  correspondence  as  this  betwixt  the  saints' 
and  the  word,  which  lieth  not  in  the  common  road  of  the 
world.  O  what  an  empty  thing  would  religion  be,  if  it 
had  not  this  word  experience  in  its  grammar  ;  that  secret 
and  sure  mark,  whereby  the  christian  knoweth  the  scrip- 
ture is  of  God  ;  how  thus  the  Lord  hath  oft  sealed  their 
instruction  in  a  dark  plunge  ;  how  life  and  power,  enliv- 
ening influences,  to  the  melting  of  their  heart,  have  oft 
met  them  there  in  a  very  dead  frame  ;  and  now  they 
know  that  verily  God  hcareth  prayer  :  now  they  are  per- 
suaded, and  have  learned  by  the  cross,  that  he  is  indeed 
a  comforter  ;  yea,  many  can  shew  how  by  the  word  their 
first  acquaintance  with  the  Lord  did  begin  ;  how  some 
particular  truth,  like  a  grain  of  corn  sown  in  their  heart, 
by  the  blessing  of  the  great  husbandman  was  made  to 
take  life,  and  grow. 

(3.)  It  much  concerned*  us,  to  know  what  an  excel- 
lent key  the  scripture  is  to  unlock  that  sealed  book  of 
providence  ;  and  that  no  other  key  can  lit  the  same  ; 
many  have  tried  another  way,  but  lost  themselves  on  the 
search,  and  the  more  they  attempt  by  human  wisdom, 
they  became  the  more  dark.  I  truly  think,  there  is  not  a 
more  satisfying  discovery  within  time,  than  this,  to  trace 
divine  truth  back  until  we  see  its  first  breaking  forth  out 
of  his  eternal  decree  and  council,  who  is  the  author  there- 
of ;  how  thence  it  taketh  hold  of  the  word,  which  is  the 
adequate  sign  and  declaration  of  his  purpose  ;  and  then 
how  the  word  taketh  hold  of  his  work  and  providence, 
where  wc  may  see  the  face  and  condition  of  the  church 
dearly  written  out  through  all  the  changes  of  time  ;  how 
providence  kecpeth  a  certain  and  steady  course,   evert 


To  the  Reader.  17 

amidst  the  most  perplexed  motions  and  reelings  of  the 
earth  ;  yea,  how  all  things,  even  those  which  would  seem 
most  contradictory,  run  within  that  straight  channel  of 
the  word,  and  cannot  go  without  these  bounds. 

(4.)  It  is  the  principal  and  most  concerning  scripture 
promises,  that  are  only  touched  in  this  following  dis- 
course, these  which  carry  akng  with  them  a  clear  con- 
tinued series  of  the  church's  condition  through  time,  and 
shew  the  most  remarkable  changes  of  her  lot.  For  it  is 
clear,  that  in  divers  prophecies  and  in  a  different  manner 
the  Spirit  doth  point  at  one  and  the  same  thing  :  and  tru- 
ly it  should  cause  no  mistake  or  prejudice,  that  we  find 
several  of  the  scripture  prophecies  expressed  in  such 
dark  terms,  since  the  wisdom  of  God  saw  it  fit  that  for  a 
time  these  truths  should  be  locked  up  and  sealed.  But 
now  light  hath  so  far  broken  forth  with  the  event,  as  we 
may  see  how*  very  significant  and  suitable  to  the  matter 
these  most  dark  enigmatical  terms  are. 

(5.)  We  should  upon  no  account  shut  our  ears,  where 
the  scripture  is  clear,  and  giveth  us  ground  to  hope  that 
the  outgoing  of  the  Lord,  for  his  people  in  their  deliver- 
ance, and  for  the  destruction  of  his  enemies,  now  in  these 
last  times,  shall  be  very  glorious  ;  yea,  by  some  stately 
and  stupendous  acts  of  providence,  that  he  shall  accom- 
plish his  judgment  on  antichrist :  neither  must  we  take  a 
prejudice  at  truth,  because  of  the  wild  fancies  of  many 
who  would  extend  it  beyond  its  bounds,  or  that  near  re- 
semblance which  the  error  of  some  in  this  time  may  seem 
to  have  thereto.  For  that  hath  been  an  old  stratagem  of 
the  devil,  to  prejudice  the  world  at  some  of  the  truths  of 
God,  by  setting  up  a  counterfeit  thereto. 

I  shall  add  no  more,  only  what  account  is  given,  upon 
the  close  of  the  last  argument,  of some  remarkable  pas- 


18  To  the  Reader. 

sages  of  providence  in  the  late  times,  as  herein  the  author 
hath  some  confidence  to  profess,  he  did  endeavour  what 
could  be  attained  for  certainty  of  the  same,  and  if  any  cir- 
cumstances of  these  relations  should  be  found  a  mistake, 
he  dare  say  before  Him  who  is  greater  than  our  con- 
science, it  was  not  the  neglect  of  serious  inquiry  ;  so  he 
must  also  premise,  the  inserting  of  them  was  upon  no 
further  intent,  than  to  be  a  witness  to  that  truth  of  the 
Lord's  eminent  appearance  for  bis  church  in  the  last  days. 
It  would  be  of  great  use  and  profit  to  the  church,  that 
some  more  fitly  qualified  would  study  a  more  large  col- 
lection di  this  kind.  O  that  this  might  go  forth  with  a 
blessing  from  him,  who  by  the  meanest  things  can  serve 
himself,  and  promote  the  edification  of  his  church  ;  and 
that  the  Lord  would  raise  some  up  with  much  of  his 
Spirit,  to  make  a  further  search  and  inquiry  into  this 
great  and  weighty  truth. 


INDEX. 


Page 

THE  grave  subject  of  the  Scripture's  accomplishment  considered  in 
some  special  truths,  previously  held  forth  for  giving  light  to  the 
same.  25 

I.  What  is  thereby  to  be  understood,  in  nine  particulars  opened.  ib. 

II.  The  verification  of  the  scripture,  considered  as  the  Lord' 's  peculiar 
work  and  design  in  the  world,  and  in  the  whole  conduct  of  providence.     29 

III.  How  clear  and  manifest  this  great  truth  is.  33 

IV.  That  this,  notwithstanding  of  clear  demonstrative  evidences  of 
the  same,  is  hid  from  the  most  of  men,  and  a  great  mystery  to  them-         35 

V.  What  an  unanswerable  witness  and  argument,  the  fulfilling  of  the 
scripture  is,  of  its  divinity,  to  satisfy  and  quiet  the  soul  about  this.  39 

VI.  That  it  is  a  most  solacing,  and  singularly  delectable  truth.  42 

VII.  How  much  the  godly  are  concerned,  now  in  these  latter  times,  to 
study  the  fulfilling  of  the  scripture,  and  what  advantage  they  have  for 
the  same  beyondyormer  ages.  47 

VIII.  How  weighty  a  duty  it  is,  and  on  what  pressing  grounds  it  lies  at 
each  christian's  door.  50 

Five  Arguments  set  down,  whence  this  truth  is  in  the  following  treatise 
largely  demonstrated.  52 

THE  FIRST  ARGUMENT, 

FROM  the  solid  and  sure  experience  of  the  godly  in  all  ages  -,  which 
doth  witness  the  real  performance  of  the  scripture.  This  cleared  in 
five  instances.  52 

1.  Instance,  That  there  is  a  contrariety  betwixt  the  flesh  and  the  spirit, 
witnessed  by  christian  experience,  as  clearly  as  it  is  held  forth  in  the 
scripture.  55 

%  Instance,  Of  the  deceitfulness  of  man's  heart,  with  that  witness  given 
in  from  experience  thereto.  57 

3.  Instance,  That  there  is  sn  invisible  adversary  without,  as  clear  and 
discernible,  as  that  there  is  corruption  within.  58 

4.  Instance,  Shews  that  real  intercourse  betwixt  a  christian  and  the  prom- 
ises of  the  word,  by  sure  experience,  and  how  clearly  this  may  be 
demonstrated.  61 

Some  previous  considerations,  for  our  right  understanding  this.  ib. 

A  more  particular  demonstration  in  ten  special  promises,  wherewith  the 
godly,  through  their  life,  have  a  most  usual  and  cpntinual  trade.  63 

1.  The  promise  considered  with  respect  to  our  believing,  and  adventur- 
ing on  the  naked  word,  without  any  probable  appearance  of  its  f  adfil- 
ling  :  and  how  clearly  this  is  verified.  64 

2.  That  God  hears  and  answers  prayer,  from  solid  experience  demon- 
strated. 65 

3.  That  the  pouring  out  of  the.  Spirit,  and  its  sealing  and  marvellous  power 

on  the  soul,  is  no  delusion,  but  certainly  known,  demonstrated.     '  67 

4.  That  light  and  counsel  to  the  godly,  and  the  directing  of  their  steps,  ac- 
cording to  the  promise,  is  made  out  to  those  who  commit  their  way 

to  God.  yQ 

5.  The  promise  of  pardon  and  forgiveness,  how  it  is  sealed  by  experi- 
ence. -  '   7i 


20  Index. 

Page 

6.  The  promise  to  integrity,  and  encouragement  to  the  gedly  under  the 
cross,  verified.  74 

7.  The  promise  to  integrity  and  uprightness  in  an  evil  time  76 

8.  That  the  promise  of assistance  ami  strength  for  duty,  is  truly  made  out 
and  verified.  7J 

9.  The  promise  of  all  things  working  togetlierfor  their  good  'echo  love  God, 
clearly  verified  in  experience.  78 

10.  The  great  gain  and  advantage  of  godliness,   demonstrated   according 

to  the  promise.  SO 

S.  Instance,  Holds  forth  the  verification  of  scripture  threatening?,  fciich 
under  whose  reach  the  godly  may  fall.  83 

Some  things  premised  fof  clearing-  this.  ib. 

Some  special  threatenings  instanced,  with  that  witness  the  experience  of 
christians  bears  to  the  same.  85 

A  rational  demonstration  of  the  truth  and  reality  of  godliness,  and  the 
validity  of  that  witness  which  the  experience  of  the  saints  in  all  ages 
bears  to  the  fulfilling'  pf  the  scripture,  from  several  grounds  held 
forth.  91 

Several  weighty  queries.  97 

The  great  import  of  this  argument  from  experience,  in  seven  particu- 
lars considered  ;  and  what  a  transport  of  joy  and  wandering  this,  when 
it  is  brought  rear  to  our  thoughts,  may  cause.  98 

Two  eminent  witnesses,  who  have  left  a  seal  to  the  truth.  106 

THE  SECOND  ARGUMENT, 

DEMONSTRATES  the  certain  accomplishing  of  the  scripture  from 
the  church's  continued  observation  in  all  ages.  108 

Thefrst  Branch  of  the  argument  doth  witness  the  scripture's  verifica- 
tion, in  those  promises  which  concern  the  universal  church'.     As, 

1.  That  concerning  the  church's  continuance  and  preservation  *  and  how 
great  and  marvellous  a  thing  it  is,  demonstrated.  109 

2.  Her  advance  and  increase  ;  and  how  in  an  ordinary  way  this  could  not 

be  without  a  miraculous  and  supernatural  power.  112 

3.  The  promise  of giving  the  Spirit,  as  it  respects  the  church,  and  its 
accompanying  the  truth  and  doctrine  of  Christ  in  all  ages,  demon- 
strated from  clear  evidences  thereof.  116 

4.  How  the  Lord  hath  given  his  church  deliverance  in  her  greatest  exi- 

'  gences,  according  to  the  promise  thereof.  120 

5.  That  comprehensive  promise  of  all  thhigs  working  together  for  good, 
with  respect  to  the  church,  clearly  verified,  in  the  observation  of 
each  time.  *  *24 

Second  Branch  of  the  argument  demonstrates  the  fulfilling  of  those 
scripture  threatenings,  winch  concern  the  visible  church.  125 

Sewn  instances  held  forth,  wherein  this  is  made  clear.  127 

Third  Branch  of  the  argument,  doth  witness  the  clear  verification  of  the 
scripture  in  those  passages  of  providence,  which  seem  to  the  world  dark 
and  astonishing,  whereat  many  are  shaken  133 

This  demonstration]  in  fourteen  instances,  followed  out ;  how  those  con- 
vincingly verify  the  scripture,  and  are  great  confirmations  of  the 
truth,  whereat  upon  the  first  appearance  we  are  ready  to  stumble. 
As, 

1.  That  with  the  first  stirrings  toward  the  church's  delivery,  her  straits 
and  trouble  seem  to  increase.  134 

%  A  serious  endeavourfor  reformation,  and  to  promote  the  kingdom  of 
Christ,  meeting  with  great  interruptions,  how  it  co;ih>ms  the  scrip- 
ture *      ib- 


Index.  21 

Page 

2.  How  a  great  overclouding  and  darkness  on  the  church,  following-  re- 
markable manifestations  of  the  glory  and  power  of  God,  do  clearly 
verify  the  truth  of  the  word.  136 

4.  That  when  judgment  comes  on  a  land,  it  begins  first  at  the  best.  127 

5.  That  strange  success  which  follows  the  worst  of  men  sometimes  in 

an  evil  course,  made  clear.  138 

6.  Those  disappointments  the  church  oft  meets  with,  when  ordinary 
means  seem  most  promising.  139 

7.  The  long  continuance  of  a  heavy  afflicting  rod  on  the  church,  and  what 

a  confirmation  this  is  of  the  word.  ib. 

8.  That  Satan  hath  usually  such  a  counterfeit  of  an)'  remarkable  work  of 
God  set  on  foot  in  a  land,  cleared.  14.0 

9.  The  abounding  of  error  and  heresy  under  the  gospel,  more  than  under 
the  Old  Testament,  how  clearly  it  answers  the  scripture.  ib. 

10.  Those  great  stirs  and  commotions,  that  oft  attend  the  gospel,   when 

it  breaks  forth  with  power  in  aland.  142 

11.  That  men  of  great  natural  endowments  are  so  usual  oppoeers  of  the 
truth.  ib. 

J.2.  What  strange  judgments  may  befal  some  of  the  saints  in  their  out- 
ward lot.  "  143 

13.  The  gross  falling  of  some,  who  have  shined  with  a  great  lustre  once 

in  the  church.  ib. 

14.  The  strange  contingency  of  events  in  the   world,   and  how  this  is  not 

at  an  adventure,  but  clearly  answers  the  scripture.  144 

This  further  commended  to  our  serious  study,  and  the  great    concernment 
thereof  held  forth,  to  be  observing  how  clearly  the  scripture   is  con- 
firmed by  these  things  in  the  way  of  the  Lord,  and   in  the  administra- 
tion of  his  providence,  which  to  many  seem  grounds  of  shaking,  whence 
"  they  are  ready  to  question  the  truth.  145 

This  cleared  in  ten  instances  more  added,  whence  the  godly  should  be 
more  strengthened  in  the  truth,  though  they  seem  at  the  first  look 
very  strange. 

1.  That  the  church  of  Christ  should  be  so  universally  low,  when  the 
whole  earth  besides  seems  to  be  at  rest.  146 

2.  The  short  breathings  of  the  church,  under  the  New  Testament,  that 
we  see  her  lucid  intervals  usually  of  so  small  continuance,  and  how 
thus  the  scripture  is  verified.  149 

.3.  The  wearing  out  of  life  and  power  in  the  church  so  often  with  a  fur- 
ther increase  of  light,  and  ltow  thus  the  truth  is  confirmed.  151 

4.  That  the  great  men  of  the  earth,  and  those  who  sit  in  the  place  of 
judgment,  are  so  usually  th£  church's  greatest  adversaries.  154 

5-^That  instruments  sometime  eminently  useful  in  the  church,  with  the 
change  of  times,  should  be  found  to  change  their  principles,  is  a  con- 
firming witness  also  to  the  truth.  15f 

6.  Men's  personating  godliness  and  the  power  hereof  at  the  greatest  rate, 
who  on  an  after  discovery  are  found  gross  hypocrites,  how  it  is  no 
ground  for  reflecting  on  the  truth,  but  should  confirm  it.  160 

F.  Those  sad^'ar*  and  divisions,  which  so  frequently  are  seen  within  the 
church,  cleared.  162 

8.  That  the  Lord's  immediate  hand  may  seem  more  heavy  on  his  church 
and  people  in  suffering  times,  than  the  hand  of  men,  considered.  164 

9.  To  what  a  strange  height  a  judicial  stroke  of  induration  on  the  spirit 

of  men  may  come,  and  how  thus  the  scripture  is  confirmed.  167 

JO.  The  righteous  fulling  sometime  with  the  wicked  in  a  common  judg- 
ment, whilst  some  notorious  for  wickedness  may  be  seen  to  go  to  the 
grave  in  peace,  cleared.  169 


22  Index. 

THE  THIRD  ARGUMENT, 

PROVES  the  verification  of  the  scripture,  in  that  to  the  view  and  convic- 
tion rjfthe  world  it  is  undeniably  obvious.  170 
In  fourteen  instances  this  demonstrated, 

1.  That  man  now  is  fallen  frum  that  excellent  state,  wherein  once  he 
was  formed.  171 

2.  The  truth  and  reality  of  cojiversion,  and  how  far  this  marvellous 
change  is  above  nature,  demonstrated.  173 

What  true  cause  there  is  of  wondering  at  this  great  work,  and  how 
demonstrative  an  argument  it  is  of  the  grace  of  God,  and  truth  of  the 
scripture,  further  cleared,  with  an  addition  of  several  evidences  more.      175 

Thr^e  remarkable  instances  of  Conversion.  178 

3.  The  truth  offellowship  here  betwixt  God  and  the  soul,   and  that  this 

is  no  fancy  or  delusion,  made  clear  to  the  world.  180 

4.  That  the  righteous  is  more  excellent  than  his  neighbour.  182 

5.  That  the  promised  encouragement  to  the  godly  under  their  sitfferingsfor 

the  truth,  falls  not  to  the  ground.  184 

6    That  there  is  a  conscience  within  men,  wrhich  clearly  answers  the  dis- 
covery of  scripture  about  it.  185 
A  further  demonstration  of  this  truth,  and  how  convincing-  a  witness  this 

is  against  atheism,  held  forth.  187 

7.  How  clearly  it  is  made  out,  there  is  a  reward  for  the  righteous.  189 

S.  That  verily  there  is  a  God  who  judgeth  in  the  earth,  demonstrated  to 
the  conviction  of  the  world,  from  several  clear  grounds.  191 

9.  That  there  are  evil  spirits,  and  such  a  diabolical  power  as  the  scrip- 
ture holds  forth,  witnessed.  197 

10.  The  enmity  betwixt  the  children  of  God  and  the  world  held  forth,  and 
how  great  a  witness  it  is  to  the  truth.  200 

11.  That  the  creature  is  made  subject  to  vanity,  because  of  sin,  clearly- 
demonstrated  to  the  world,  and  the  truth  of  the  scripture  therein.         201 

12.  That  the  end  of  the  righteous  is  peace.  205 

13.  That  great  truth  of  the  soul's  immortality,  and  how  mistaken  a 
thing  it  is,  considered  and  demonstrated  from  some  clear  undenia- 
ble arguments.  208 

How  great  and  astonishing  a  truth  it  is,  and  what  other  thoughts  men 
would  have  thereof,  were  it  rightly  understood.  211 

14.  That  the  way  of  the  Lord  is  perfect,  and  all  his  works  done  in  judg- 
ment, held  forth.  2 IS 

This  demonstration  more  particularly  followed  out  ; 

X.  In  the  -whole-:  frame  and  structure  of  the  visible  church.  214 

2.  In  the  conduct  and  administration  of  providence  about  the  church.         216 

0.  In  the  great  work  and  contrivance  of  redemption.  220 
4.  In  that  marvellous  order  and  disposal  of  the  works  of  God,  through 

the  whole  creation,  and  with  wha'c  a  subserviency  all  things  are  framed 

and  directed  to  some  special  end,  considered.  222 

THE  FOURTH  ARGUMENT, 
DEMONSTRATES  the  exact  accomplishment  of  the  prophetical  part 

of  the  scripture,  and  the  special  predictions  thereof,  in  those  periods  of 

time  to  which  they  relate. 
Some  things  premised  thereabout,  228 

1.  What  is  already  fulfilled,  considered. 

1.  That  prophecy  of  old  by  Noah  concerning  the  food,  and  its  certain 
taking  place  held  forth.  229 

2.  How  that  strange  stroke  and  judgment  on  men  in  confounding   their 
languages,  hath  clearly  come  to  pass  according  to  the  scripture  :   and 
how  this  in  an  ordinary  way  could  not  have  been  brought  about,  „ 
but  the  very  finger  of  God  unanswerably  manifest  therein,  demon- 
strated. 230 


Index.  23 

Page 

3.  The  fulfilling  of  that  which  was  prophesied  concerning  the  church's 
delivery  from  Egypt.  232 

4.  What  was  promised  about  the  church  of  Israel's  more  full  growth, 
clearly  made  out.  233 

5.  How  the  scripture  and  prophecies  thereof  with  respect  to  the  de- 
clining times  of  the  Jeivish  church  are  verified.  234 

6.  The  exact  performance  of  what  by  Daniel  was  foretold  concerning 
the  rise  and  fall  of  the  monarchies.  235 

7.  That  greatest  prophecy,  which  is  the  intent  of  the  whole  scripture 
of  God,  Me  coming  of  the  Messias,  how  clearly  verified  to  the  world 

in  the  appointed  time.  236 

A  rational  demonstration  thereof,  from  manifest  and  undeniable  grounds, 
held  forth.  ib. 

8.  The  sure  performance  of  that  remarkable  prophecy  of  the  incalling 
of  the  Gentiles  ;  and  how  this  marvellous  work,  withxmt  a  divine  mi- 
raculous power,  could  not  be  conceived.  241 

9.  How  clearly  that  dreadful  desolating  stroke  on  the  Jews,  doth  verify 
what  was  prophesied  about  it,  held  forth.  245 

10.  How  manifest  the  coming  of  antichrist,  and  his  being  revealed  to  the 
world,  now  is  in  the  event.  24S 

Some  serious  queries  about  this  great  adversary,  held  forth  ;  to  shew 
what  an  infatuation  those  must  de  under,  who  cannot  see  him,  when 
before  their  eyes  so  clearly  discovered.  251 

The  author's  judgment  humbly  offered  about  the  number  of  the  beast, 
and  the  meaning  of  the  scripture  therein,  with  some  grounds  for 
clearing  the  same.  256 

11.  What  was  prophesied  about  the  killing  of  the  witnesses,  now  made 
clear  in  the  event.  259 

II.  What  of  the  prophetical  part  of  the  scripture  is  yet  to  be  accom- 
plished. 260 

1.  The  full  ruin  of  antichrist  and  his  kingdom.  261 

2.  The  incalling  ofthejenus.  264 

3.  A  greztflouriihiiig  of  the  church,  both  of  Jews  and  Gentiles.  266 

4.  Satan's  binding,  and  the  church's  reign  with  Christ.  268 

5.  The  fall  and  destruction  of  the  Turkish  empire.  27Q 

6.  Satan's  loosing,  and  the  victory  over  Gog  and  Magog.  271 

THE  FIFTH  ARGUMENT. 

THAT  we  have  already  several  grounds  of  confirmation,  and  pledges  in 
our  hand  to  assure  us,  that  what  of  the  scripture  is  to  be  accomplish- 
ed shall  be  certainly  fulfilled.  272 

1.  The  very  being  of  the  world  is  one  ground,  273 

2.  Those  trut hs  that  are  of  all  others  most  strange,  are  already  accom- 

^  plished  ;  as  about  the  coming  of  the  Messias.  27S 

3.  That  Jesus  Christ  hath  begun  tlie  war  against  antichrist,  and  the  ene- 
mies of  his  church.  279 

4.  That  the  church's  victory  over  antichrist  is  not  only  begun,  but  in  a 
great  measure  advanced.  284 

Wherein  the  Lord's  extraordinary  providence  is  no  less  discernible;  than 
in  the  first  planting  of  Christianity  by  the  apostles,  proved  by  seven 
witnesses. 

1.  The  wonderful  success  the  gospel  hath  had  in  these  last  times.  285 

2.  The  church  in  these  last  times  hath  met  with  as  sharp  assaults  of 
cruel  and  powerful  enemies,  as  in  the  primitive  times,  shewed  in  sev- 
eral instances.  2B7 

3.  The  wonderful  patience,  resolution,  and  cheerfulness  of  sufferers  in  these 
late  times  ;  with  instances  thereof.  288 


24  Index. 

Pagftf 
4.  The  remarkable  judgments  of  God  on  opposers  of  his  work  of  refor- 
mation from  antichristianism,  in  several   instances  both   foreign  and 
domestic,  and  two  more  lately.  292 

5-  The  large  measure  of  the  Spirit,  that  followed  the  ministry  of  the  gos- 
pel in  these  late  times.  301 
Foreign  instances.  ib. 
The  work  in  the  west  of  Scotland  about  the  year  1 625.                                    302 

In  Clidesdale  about  the  year   1630,   and  in  Ireland  about  the  year 

1628,  and  thereafter.  303 

In  Scotland  in  the  year  1638,  and  thereafter.  304 

Instances  of  particular  persons.     As, 

Mr.  Welsh  and  Mr.  Forbes.  305 

Mr.  Rutherford.  ib. 

6.  That  extraordinary  apostolic  and  prophetic  spirit,  that  appeared  in 
some  ministers  and  others  raised  in  these  late  times.  3C6 

In  Scotland,  Mr.  John  Welsh.  307 

Mr.  Robert  Bruce.             %  311 

Mr.  Davidson.  313 

Mr.  Patrick  Simson.  315 

Mr.  Andrew  Melvin.  318 

Mr.  Hugh  Kennedy.  319 

More  of  Mr.  Robert  Bruce.  320 

More  of  Mr.  John  Welsh.  323 

Mr.  John  Scrimger.  326 

Mr.  Robert  Blair,  ib. 

The  laird  of  Raith.  330 

Mr.  James  Faber,  in  France.  331 

In  Ireland,  Mr.  Andrew  Steward.  333* 

Mr.  John  Steward,  provost  of  Aire.  335 

A  godly  gentlewoman.  337 

A  strange  passage  of  judgment  on  a  wicked  nobleman.  339 

7.  Those  marvellous  providences  of  God  confirming  the  truth,  since  the 
breaking  forth  of  tbe  gospel  ;  whereof  several  ?  are  particulars  are 
mentioned,  former  and  later,  at  home  and  abroad.  340 

In  the  APPENDIX  five  Inferences. 

I.  A  CHRISTIAN  hath  from  \ht  fulfilling  of  the  scripture  a  gTeat 
advantage  for  his  establishment.  357 

II.  There  is  a  special  debt  on  each  christian  to  bear  witness  to  the  faith- 
fulness of  God.  359 

III.  This  debt  lieth  also  on  the  church,  to  witness  the  Lord's  faithful- 
ness, and  on  every  age.  364 

IV.  It  is  a  duty  to  discern  the  times,  and  inquire  seriously  thereabout.  369 
(1.)  What  is  the  present  state  of  the  church.  370 
(2.)  What  the  present  signs  of  the  times  seem  to  point  at.  373 
(3  )  To  discern  the  particular  snares  and  hazards  of  the  time.  380 
(4.)  What  at  such  a  time  can  the  rig hteous  do.  385 

V.  The  scripture  truths,  as  they  are  great  and  marvellous,  they  are  also 
in  the  evidence  of  their  verification  so  clear  and  obvious,  as  may  con- 
vince the  greatest  atheist.  390 


THE 

FULFILLING 

OF  THE 

SCRIPTURE. 


•jr^^s**/** 


1  HERE  are  two  means  by  which  the  blessed 
snajesty  of  God  hath  chosen  to  reveal  himself  to  the 
sons  of  men,  his  word  and  his  works:  which  may  be 
called  the  two  great  luminaries,  for  giving  light  to  the 
church,  though  the  one  be  greater,  I  mean  doth  more 
clearly  shine  forth,  yea,  doth  communicate  light  to  the 
other.  These,  men  must  not  divide,  which  by  so  strait 
a  tie  the  Lord  hath  joined,  and  by  a  marvellous  corres- 
pondence hath  set  the  one  over  against  the  other,  that  it 
may  be  easy  to  see  his  faithfulness,  and  the  accomplish- 
ment of the  scripture  therein  :  and  indeec^  this  is  a  great 
and  interesting  truth,  that  calleth  for  a  serious  study,  the 
solid  persuasion  of  which  should  afford  a  sweet  ground 
of  repose,  and  rest  for  the  soul,  though  the  earth  were 
all  in  a  combustion  round  about,  and  give  a  satisfying  an- 
swer to  our  most  solicitous  thoughts  and  fears.  Now 
this  being  the  intended  subject  of  the  following  discourse, 
I  shaU  first  touch  it  a  liftie  in  the  general,  and  then  hold 
forth  some  more  particular  grounds,  whence  it  may  be 
clearly  demonstrated. 

I.  That  the  Scripture  of  God  hath  a  certain  accom- 
plishment here  in  the  world,  and  what  is  to  be  under- 
stood by  the  same,  I  shall  endeavour  to  clear  in  these 
things,  which  would  be  considered. 

].  This  is  the  very  unfolding  of  the  Lord's  decree, 
and  secret  purpose,  the  bringing  forth  of  his  work,  now 
within  time,  to  the  ..view  of  angels  and  men,  which  was 
before  him  in  the  deep  of  his  thoughts,  and  counsel  from 
eternity  ;  it  is  an  opening  up  of  the  sealed  book,  which 
we  must  not  understand  to  be  that  secret  roll  of  election, 
and  the  book  of  life,  wherein  the  names  of  the  elect  are 

D 


26  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

writ ;  but  liber  fatidicus,  the  sealed  book  of  God's  dis* 
pensations  in  the  world,  shewing  out  his  counsels,  and 
designs,  which  should  be  brought  forth  in  the  after  ages 
of  time  :  for  as  the  Lord  did  fully  comprehend  what  he 
was  to  do,  and  all  that  was  to  befai  his  church,  and  peo- 
ple from  the  beginning  to  the  end,  long  before  there  was  a 
beginning,  before  the  mountains  were  formed,  so  hath 
he  copied,  and  written  out  his  heart  in  the  word  about 
the  same,  wherein  he  hath  most  plainly  shewed  forth, 
what  were  his  blessed  purposes,  and  counsel  of  old  ; 
and  thus  the  thoughts  of  his  heart,  his  word  and  his 
works  do  sweetly  agree,  and  each  one  wonderfully  an- 
swers  to  another.  For  his  work  doth  bring  forth,  and 
accomplish  his  word,  that  his  decree  and  counsel  from 
all  eternity  may  take  place. 

2.  The  scripture's  accomplishment  is  the  transcript 
and  writing  of  it  over  in  providence  ;  where  we  may 
see  and  admire  how  the  word  doth  shine  upon  all  the 
paths  and  footsteps  of  the  Lord  toward  his  church  in 
every  age,  and  gives  light  to  the  same,  and  what  an  evi- 
dent reflection  his  work  hath  again  upon  the  word  ;  so 
that  through  the  whole  series  and  course  of  providence 
in  the  earth,  we  have  a  most  exact  portraiture,  and  im- 
age of  the  scripture,  answering  one  to  another  as  face 
answers  to  face  in  the  glass,  where  it  may  be  easy  to 
discern  the  copy  by  the  principal,  and  that  resemblance 
which  is  betwixt  the  building,  and  that  excellent  pattern, 
and  model,  which  is  held  forth  thereof  in  the  word. 

3.  The  accomplishment  of  the  scripture  is  the  very 
turning  that,  which  was  the  object  of  our  faith  and  con- 
templation, to  be  the  object  of  our  sense  and  feeling  :  it 
is  the  real  birth,  and  bringing  forth  these  truths  unto  the 
world  in  their  appointed  time  and  season  concerning  the 
church,  and  particular  christians,  which  were  hid  in  that 
womb  of  the  promise,  and  many  dark  predictions  of  the 
word  ;  it  is  such  a  thing  as  giveth  the  promises  and 
prophecies,  a  visible  being,  yea,  bringeth  truth  so  near 
within  the  reach  of  our  senses,  that  we  may  even  touch, 
as  it  were,  and  handle  the  words  of  life.  O  what  an  ex- 
cellent interpreter  is  experience  !  t  Taste  and  see :  for 
thus  the  serious  christian  getteth  a  view  of  the  scripture, 
and  spiritual  things,  which  the  most  subtle,  and  piercing 
eye  of  unsanctificd  schoolmen  cannot  reach,  yea,  by  the 
practice  of  truth,  nearness  to  God,  and  retiring  of  the 
soul  to  him,  hath  oft  got  more  light  in  an  hour,  than 
others  by  many  days  putting  their  judgment  and  inven* 
tion  upon  the  rack. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  27 

4.  This  is  God's  own  seal,  which  he  putteth  to  the 
word  to  confirm  and  ratify  the  same  ;  I  do  not  only 
mean  that  secret  seal  of  the  spirit  within,  but  something 
more  external,  that  solemn  testimony  of  his  works, 
whereby  he  doth  every  day  appeal  to  men's  consciences 
about  his  truth  :  for  his  works  are  very  manifest,  where- 
on there  is  so  clear  an  engraving  of  his  truth  and  faith- 
fulness, that  as  the  impress  and  image  of  the  seal  is  upon 
the  wax,  men  may  also  see  whose  superscription  and 
image  that  is,  which  doth  appear  on  such,  and  such  pas- 
sages of  providence. 

5.  This  is  something  we  are  not  to  seek  only  in  the 
extraordinary  acts  of  Providence,  or  in  any  singular  and 
eminent  path  of  a  christian's  experience  :  nay,  it  doth 
shine  forth  in  the  smallest  and  most  casual  things  that 
fallout,  yea,  in  every  page  of  that  great  volume  of  Prov- 
idence may  it  be  clearly  read. 

6.  The  scripture's  accomplishment  is  such  a  thing,  as 
concerns  every  christian  in  his  personal  case  ;  to  which 
his  ordinary  experience  doth  relate  ;  whereof  such  have 
a  large  register,  what  of  the  word  hath  been  certainly 
proved  in  the  several  steps  and  changes  of  their  life, 
whose  practice  doth  much  lie  betwixt  improvement 
of  the  word,  and  observation  how  it  is  fulfilled  :  such 
can  witness,  how  under  a  spiritual  decay  to  be  carnally 
minded  is  death,  and  when  it  is  well,  what  great  peace  they 
have  who  love  God's  law :  they  have  oft  found,  that  in 
a  strait  he  is  a  very  present  help,  and  in  the  way  of  duty 
that  it  is  surely  good  to  draw  near  to  him  ;  and  in  the  close 
of  their  life,  can,  from  many  remarkable  and  convincing 
providences,  declare  the  truth  and  faithfulness  of  God. 
And  truly  whilst  I  speak  here,  of  the  christian's  experi- 
ence, I  think  it  is  sad,  and  a  great  short  coming,  that  there 
is  not  a  more  serious  improvement  of  it  for  this  end  :  which 
is  a  very  interesting  duty  on  such  who  have  tasted  that  the 
Lord  is  gracious ;  and  O  what  an  excellent  addition  would 
this  be  to  their  will  or  testament,  when  they  are  to  leave 
the  world,  to  leave  a  testimony  behind  them  to  the  faith- 
fulness of  God  in  his  word  and  promise,  and  thus  put  their 
seal  to  the  same,  from  what  they  have  oft  proved  by  sure 
experience  !  For  this  should  prove  a  singular  help  to 
strengthen  others,  and  spread  abroad  the  fame  and  good 
report  of  religion  :  yea,  thus  one  generation  should  de- 
clare the  works  of  the  Lord  to  another,  and  transmit  the 
memory  of  his  goodness  to  succeeding  ages. 

7.  This  is  something  which  not  only  the  christian's  ex- 
perience doth  witness,  and  in  every  time  taketh  place,  but 


28  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

hath  also  a  peculiar  reference  to  those  ages,  and  periods  of 
times,  wherein  such  particular  truths  should  have  their  ac- 
complishment. For  it  is  true,  that  the  prophets  of  old  did 
not  only  in  their  predictions  hold  forth  in  general,  the  truth 
and  certainty  of  those  things,  which  should  fallout:  but 
they  also  inquired  and  searched  diligently  about  the  time  : 
to  what  or  what  manner  of  time  the  Spirit  by  them  did 
point.  1  Pet.  i.  11.  For  it  is  truly  clear,  that  a  piece  of 
the  word  was  under  the  law  to  have  its  peculiar  accom- 
plishment ;  that  part  of  it  also  under  the  Messiah's  king- 
dom, in  the  days  of  the  gospel  should  be  fulfilled,  and  we 
find  a  very  interesting  part  thereof  belongs  to  these  latter 
times.  And  there  is  bftwixt  such  periods  of  time  and 
revolution  of  the  church's  case,  and  the  bringing  forth  of 
such  a  piece  of  the  scripture  to  a  performance,  a  very  cer- 
tain and  undoubted  connection.  It  is  true,  we  do  not  yet 
well  understand  (which  will  be  one  of  the  last  manifesta- 
tions the  church  shall  have,  at  the  end  of  time,  when  the 
mystery  of  God  is  finished,)  how  to  sort  the  event  exactly 
to  the  word  :  but  it  is  sure  (and  were  worthy  of  our  study 
and  observation)  how  every  age  hath  something  of  the 
scripture  peculiar  thereto,  yea,  carrieth  forward  the  Lord's 
work  and  design  a  further  step.  May  we  not  see  how  one 
age  fulfilleth  such  a  piece  of  the  church's  sufferings  appoint- 
ed for  her,  and  puts  some  great  trial  and  sad  persecution 
over  her  head,  which  she  was  to  meet  with ;  whilst  an- 
other age  carrieth  her  through  another  change,  and  giveth 
her  a  time  of  rest  and  breathing  ?  How  such  a  time  bring- 
eth  Antichrist  forward  to  his  height,  and  such  a  following 
age  begins  the  turn  of  the  church's  case  ?  Yea,  every  sev- 
eral period  and  revolution  of  time,  still  addeth  something 
to  that  excellent  history  of  the  word  and  providence,  which 
we  have  since  the  beginning,  and  bringeth  forth  some- 
thing further  into  the  world,  of  the  Lord's  counsel  and  de- 
sign about  his  church. 

8.  The  accomplishing  of  the  scripture  is  such  a  thing,  as 
we  are  to  look  after,  in  a  special  way  here,  which  concerns 
this  militant  and  travailing  condition  of  the  church ;  for  if 
the  scriptures  were  once  fully  accomplished,  and  the  great 
mystery  of  God  therein  finished,  there  were  then  nothing 
more  to  do,  his  work  of  providence  were  at  an  end,  and 
time  should  be  no  more.  This  is  something,  that  is  not 
here  perfected  at  once,  but  is  still  gradually  carrying  on, 
and  then  shall  be  complete  at  the  resurrection  of  the  just, 
and  second  coming  of  the  Lord,  which  is  the  last  part  of 
canonical  scripture  to  be  made  out,  when  both  his  work 
and  his  word,  and  time,  shall  be  all  finished  together ;  but 


"The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  29 

while  the  saints  arc  yet  by  the  way,  they  have  the  written 
word  and  all  those  precious  promises  therein,  for  present 
use  and  encouragement.  For  that  is  its  proper  work,  to 
take  them  safe  through  this  labyrinth  of  the  world,  and 
when  it  hath  brought  them  to  land,  it  hath  no  more  to  do  ; 
there  will  be  then  no  more  need  for  a  christian  to  go  to  a 
promise,  and  adventure  upon  it ;  we  shall  then  no  more 
watch,  with  the  watchmen  in  a  dark  and  stormy  night,  and 
hope  for  the  breaking  of  the  day  ;  faith  then  shall  not  be  at 
a  stand,  how  such  a  word  shall  be  made  out,  because  of 
invincible  difficulties  in  its  way  ;  no,  then  it  hath  done  its 
work,  and  that  which  is  written  shall  be  swallowed  up,  in 
that  which  is  seen  and  enjoyed  ;  all  the  streams  of  our  en- 
couragement will  then  lose  themselves  in  a  greater  depth. 
O  then  it  is  finished  and  done,  what  all  the  promises,  proph- 
ecies, and  threatenings  of  the  word  were  bringing  forth  ; 
and  then  no  more  need  of  something  as  a  pledge  and  earn- 
est in  hand,  to  them  who  have  the  full  possession  of  the  in- 
heritance, and  under  whose  feet  the  God  of  peace  hath 
trod  Satan  and  all  their  enemies. 

9.  I  shall  add  this,  the  accomplishment  of  the  scripture 
is  something,  which  is  not  only  demonstrated  to  a  christian 
by  sensible  influences,  and  God's  secret  working  with  his 
Spirit,  but  is  made  out  to  the  observation  of  men,  in  the 
way  of  providence  ;  and  not  only  witnessed  by  that  internal 
evidence  of  the  Spirit,  but  by  an  external  testimony,  which 
both  rationally  holdeth  this  out  to  the  judgment,  and  sen- 
sibly to  the  sight  and  experience  ;  and  this  is  the  strongest 
and  most  full  of  all  outward  evidences,  since  the  world 
must  shut  their  eyes  iftheydonot  see  it,  and  a  christian 
must  deny  what  he  both  seeth  and  fceleth,  if  he  deny  a  wit- 
ness to  this. 

II.  We  would  consider  the  accomplishment  of  the  Scrip- 
Hire,  as  that  which  is  the  Lord's  peculiar  work  and  design 
in  the  world,  and  that  great  business  which  is  upon  the 
wheels  of  providence  amidst  the  various  changes  and  revo- 
lutions, which  are  here  within  time,  for  bringing  about 
whereof  the  blessed  thoughts  of  his  heart  are  fixed  and  unal- 
terable. This  is  indeed  a  grave  and  serious  truth,  worthy  to 
be  more  noticed  and  laid  to  heart  by  men,  that  the  glorious 
providence  of  God,  which  goeth  throughout  the  earth,  and 
doth  particularly  reach  all  things  which  come  to  pass,  the 
smallest,  as  well  as  the  greatest  interests  of  men,  in  all  these 
doth  move  certainly  and  infallibly  for  the  accomplishing  of 
the  scripture,  which  is  that  great  thing  God  hath  before 
his  eyes  ;  for  it  is  no  personal  interests  of  men,  how  great 
so  ever  they  be,  that  can  answer  this  end  ;  it  is  something 


30  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

beyond  the  setting  up  of  kings,  or  overturning  kingdoms 
and  nations,  that  he  doth  mind  amidst  these  various 
changes,  which  are  in  the  world  ;  it  is  some  greater  thing, 
than  that  which  we  most  notice,  the  Lord  thereby  designs, 
how  such  a  party  is  advanced,  and  others  brought  low  ;  for 
these  things  come  within  the  reach  of  his  care  and  provi- 
dence, in  so  far  as  the  fulfilling  of  the  scripture  is  therein 
concerned,  the  outmaking  of  the  promises  and  threaten- 
ings  ;  one  syllable  whereof  he  doth  more  value  than  all  the 
crowns  and  kingdoms  of  the  earth,  yea,  will  not  let  it  fall  to 
the  ground,  though  it  should  be  at  the  rate  of  laying  cities 
and  countries  desolate.  For  it  is  in  this  the  Lord  taketh 
pleasure,  and  exerciseth  his  blessed  thoughts,  even  the 
bringing  about  what  he  hath  spoken  in  his  word. 

Now  to  clear  this  further,  I  shall  hold  forth  these  follow- 
ing  grounds,  whence  it  may  appear, 

First,  The  fulfilling  of  the  scripture,  or  written  word,  is 
so  great  a  thing,  and  of  such  concernment,  that  the  blessed 
majesty  of  God  thought  it  worthy  of  a  place  in  his  heart 
from  all  eternity.  This  was  before  him  in  his  thoughts 
and  counsels  of  old  ;  even  that  marvellous  work,  which 
should  be  the  after  product  and  outmaking  of  his  word 
to  his  church  here  within  time,  and  surely  was  such  a  plot 
and  contrivance,  that  as  no  ltss^  than  infinite  love,  wisdom 
and  power,  were  required  to  bring  it  about,  so  it  was  well 
becoming  the  majesty  of  God,  and  worthy  to  be  the  work 
of  all  the  three  blessed  persons  of  the  Trinity.  O  if  we 
could  go  down  a  little  into  this  deep,  and  see  the  wonders 
that  are  there,  we  should  find,  that  knowledge,  which  usu- 
ally lesseneth  our  admiration  of  other  things,  would  height- 
en it  here  ;  it  would  be  new  to  us  every  day  to  think  how 
great  and  marvellous  a  thing  that  is,  which  the  word  is 
bringing  forth. 

2.  It  is  upon  this,  even  the  performance  of  the  word, 
that  the  present  encouragement,  and  future  blessedness  of 
the  saints  doth  lie.  For  the  great  interest  of  the  church  is 
adventured  upon  the  word,  and  embarked  with  it,  which 
would  be  lost  ;  yea,  their  stock  and  treasure  which  is  laid 
up  in  heaven,  and  all  that  a  christian  is  worth,  which  is  laid 
up  in  the  promise,  were  then  perished,  if  the  scripture 
should  want  an  accomplishment ;  the  godly  man  hath 
then  run  and  laboured  in  vain,  and  those  who  are  fallen 
asleep  in  Christ,  have  died  in  a  sad  delusion  ;  providence 
would  be  like  the  work  of  the  foolish  builder,  who  begun 
and  knew  not  how  to  finish.  O  how  highly  then  is  the 
Lord  concerned  in  fulfilling  of  his  word  ?  That  he  may 
perfect  what  concerns  his  people,  and  having  surely  paid 
the  price  put  them  also  in  possession. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture,  3 1 

3.  There  is  yet  more  than  the  interests  of  angels  and  men, 
yea,  than  heaven  and  earth  is  worth,  that  depends  upon  the 
outmaking  of  the  scripture  ;  the  glory  of  God,  and  espec- 
ially the  praise  of  that  great  attribute  his  faithfulness,  which 
he  will  have  no  less  shine  forth  in  the  performance  of  his 
word,  than  his  power  and  wisdom  in  this  great  fabric  of  the 
universe,  and  these  marvellous  productions  of  nature. 
For  he  hath  magnified  his  word  above  all  his  works  ; 
therefore  is  his  heart  greatly  set  upon  this,  even  the  bring- 
ing to  pass  what  he  hath  spoken  ;  which  if  in  the  least  should 
fail,  this  were  no  less  than  to  make  God  a  liar,  and  falsify 
his  word,  who  is  through  all  the  church  known  by  this 
blessed  name,  The  God  of  truth. 

4.  We  should  consider  this,  as  that  great  trust,  which 
is  put  in  his  hand,  who  only  in  heaven  and  earth  was  found 
worthy  to  open  the  book  of  God's  decrees  and  counsels, 
and  loose  the  seals  thereof :  a  trust,  which  the  Lord  did 
not  adventure  upon  the  angels,  the  smallest  promise  being 
such  as  requires  no  less  than  an  omnipotent  power  and 
the  arm  of  Jehovah,  to  bring  it  about.  For  which  end,  he 
whom  the  Father  hath  anointed,  is  gone  forth  as  a  mighty 
man  who  rejoiceth  to  run  his  race,  that  he  may  perform 
his  word,  and  execute  this  great  design  in  the  administra- 
tion of  providence,  about  his  church  and  people  ;  which 
he  will  not  cease  or  give  over,  until  the  mystery  of  God  in 
the  scripture,  and  all  that  was  spoken  by  the  prophets,  be 
put  to  a  close,  when  heaven  and  earth  at  the  pouring  out 
of  the  last  vial,  shall  give  that  solemn  shout  and  exclama- 
tion, It  is  finished,  it  is  finished.  O  if  this  were  once  fully 
perfect,  there  would  be  no  more  to  do  ;  then  the  winter 
were  past,  and  the  summer  come,  the  song  of  Moses  and 
the  Lamb  should  be  heard,  because  the  bride  hath  made 
herself  ready,  then  let  all  the  trees  of  the  wood  rejoice,  the 
hills  break  forth  into  singing,  and  all  that  is  therein  be 
glad,  because  the  scripture  and  the  great  design  thereof  is 
fully  finished,  and  the  day  of  the  perfect  liberty  of  the  sons 
of  God  is  come. 

5.  The  accomplishment  of  the  scripture  is  of  such  im- 
portance, that  nothing  can  be  done  until  it  be  once  finish- 
ed. For  this,  time  must  wait,  the  sun  must  keep  its 
course,  and  the  ordinances  of  the  heaven  continue,  as  they 
are  :  the  world  is  but  a  scaffold  until  this  building  pe  per. 
fected ;  for  this  the  grave  doth  still  retain  her  prisoners, 
and  the  dust  of  the  saints  must  yet  rest  in  hope,  the  crea- 
tion still  groaneth,  and  the  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb  is 
deferred,  the  cry  of  the  souls  under  the  altar  get  not  a  full 
return,  until  all  that  is  written  in  the  word  be  fulfilled. 


32  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

6.  We  would  consider,  this  is  the  great  thing  which  the 
Lord  this  day  is  carrying  on,  even  the  accomplishment  of 
his  word.  For  this  is  most  brought  upon  debate,  of  any 
thing  besides  ;  the  world  challengeth  it,  and  the  hearts 
of  the  godly  do  oft  call  itj  in  question  ;  the  atheist  scoffs  at 
it,  and  saith,  Where  is  the  promise  of  his  coming  ? 
There  are  often  to  appearance  insuperable  difficulties  in 
the  way  of  its  performance  ;  therefore  doth  the  majesty  of 
God  so  much  concern  himself  in  this,  for  bringing  about 
of  which  he  is  in  a  holy  way  restless,  and  providence  in  an 
incessant  motion,  until  he  hath  done  that  which  he  hath 
spoken  in  his  word.  It  was  for  this  cause  (that  the  scrip- 
ture might  be  accomplished)  that  the  Word  was  made  flesh ; 
and  he  who  counted  it  no  robbery  to  be  equal  with  God, 
did  take  upon  himself  the  form  of  a  servant.  This  is  of 
such  account  in  his  eyes,  that  what  time  he  speaks  con- 
cerning a  nation  or  people,  ere  it  come  not  to  pass,  he  will 
rather  put  forth  omnipotency,  for  the  working  of  miracles, 
and  change  the  very  course  of  nature  ;  for  this,  he  will 
make  the  deep  dry,  make  a  way  through  the  Red  Sea,  and 
cause  Jordan  to  stand  as  in  heaps,  that  he  may  keep  prom- 
ise to  his  people  ;  if  there  be  no  way  for  bringing  about  his 
word,  but  through  a  sea  of  blood,  and  over  the  bones  and 
carcasses  of  his  enemies,  he  will  do  it,  and  bring  it  to  pass, 
though  walled  cities,  and  the  sons  of  jbiak,  mighty  and 
strong,  should  stand  in  the  way  thereof.  Abraham's  old 
age,  and  Sarah's  dead  womb,  must  not  frustrate  this  ;  if 
the  promise  of  the  church's  restoration  cannot  be  made  out 
without  a  wonder  shewed  upon  dry  bones  scattered  at  the 
grave's  mouth,  this  shall  not  be  wanting  ;  when  God 
saith,  he  will  bring  down  the  enemies  of  his  church,  if  the 
dust  of  the  ground  should  arise,  down  they  must  come. 
How  many  great  designs  of  men  hath  this  blessed  design 
(that  the  counsel  of  the  Lord  may  stand)  crushed  and  brok- 
en ?  so  that  their  work  and  counsel  hath  been  as  the  spi- 
der's web,  when  it  stood  cross  to  this  end.  The  godly 
need  not  fear,  that  he  be  not  a  present  help  in  time  of 
trouble  ;  for  he  will  keep  his  word  herein,  though  the  earth 
should  be  overturned,  and  the  mountains  cast  into  the 
midst  of  the  sea.  O  who  hath  resisted  his  counsel !  What 
are  all  these  vicissitudes  and  changes  here  in  the  world,  but 
making  way  for  the  scripture's  accomplishment  t  With 
what  desire  doth  he  move  towards  this  end  ?  So  that  as  in 
Zecb.  vi.  8-  the  instruments  by  him  appointed  for  execut- 
ing his  judgment  and  the  threatenings  of  the  word,  it  is 
said,  they  have  quieted  his  Spirit,  his  decrees  are  mountains 
of  brass,  which  are  unchangeable  ;   the  thoughts  of  his 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  33 

heart  take  place  in  all  generations :  therefore  the  word 
which  is  gone  forth  out  of  his  mouth,  shall  not  return 
empty,  but  the  pleasure  of  the  Lord  shall  prosper  in  his 
hand. 

III.  The  accomplishment  of  the  scripture  is  a  truth  very 
clear  and  manifest,  whereof  none  can  pretend  ignorance,  if 
they  do  not  shut  their  eyes,  and  force  their  own  light,  from 
the  fear  of  such  a  discovery.  For  the  obstruction  doth  not 
lie  in  the  darkness  of  the  object,  or  that  men  cannot  see 
this ;  since  we  have  it  so  clearly  held  forth  in  great  and 
legible  characters  ;  nay,  we  must  say,  the  cause  is  culpable, 
there  is  much  of  the  will  in  it,  which  renders  such  an  ig- 
norance without  excuse.  O  that  this  should  be  so  little 
looked  after,  a  matter  of  such  near  and  weighty  concern- 
ment, when  there  needs  not  another  demonstration,  but 
come  and  see  the  works  of  the  Lord  through  the  earth  !  For 
he  hath  here  so  far  condescended  to  his  people,  as  to  bring 
the  truth  near,  that  they  even  feel  and  handle  the  same  ; 
yea,  he  doth  in  a  manner  say  to  every  one  as  to  Thomas, 
put  in  your  hands,  touch  the  word,  and  truth  thereof,  and 
be  no  longer  faithless,  but  taste  and  see,  that  the  Lord  is 
good,  and  that  he  is  true  in  what  he  hath  spoken. 

We  are  indeed  to  look  for  a  more  clear  and  full  discov- 
ery of  this  truth,  the  nearer  the  church  is  to  the  end  of 
time.  There  is  a  labyrinth,  as  it  were,  of  turnings  and 
windings,  through  which  we  may  see  the  word  oft  brough", 
so  as  we  lose  sight  thereof,  and  are  ready  to  stagger  about 
its  performance  :  but  it  is  as  true,  that  the  most  eminent 
confirmations,  the  saints  ever  had  of  this  truth,  have  been 
after  greatest  shakings  thereabout.  Yea,  the  Lord  hath  in 
all  ages,  so  visibly  sealed  his  word  by  its  performance, 
that  we  may  say,  can  he  be  a  christian  and  a  stranger  to 
this  in  his  experience  !  or  a  serious  looker  on  provi- 
dence and  the  dispensations  of  the  time,  wherein  he  lives, 
and  a  stranger  to  it,  in  his  observation  !  yea,  can  any  be  so 
wholly  brutish,  as  not  to  discern  a  thing  so  clear  that  oft 
times  those  who  run,  may  read  ? 

But  to  speak  a  little  more  to  this,  I  shall  here  point 
at  some  things,  that  may  shew  how  manifest  this  truth  is. 

1.  Is  it  not  very  clear,  which  we  see  everv  day  brings  to 
light  ?  A  truth  so  conspicuous,  both  in  God's  ordinary 
way  with  his  church,  and  in  the  several  steps  and  passages 
of  a  christian's  life  !  For  these  mercies,  which  brin^  tha 
word  and  promise  to  pass,  are  new  every  morning,  and  cry 
aloud,  if  we  could  hear,  great  is  his  faithfulness.  This  is 
indeed  tried  ;  and  needs  there  more,  to  convince  a  blind 
man,  that  his  sight  is  restored  to  him,  but  that  he  certainly 


34  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

seeth  ?  sure  they  never  wanted  confirmations  here,  who  do 
but  seriously  seek  to  be  confirmed. 

2.  Is  it  not  a  clear  truth,  which  not  only  is  found  upon 
the  exactest  trial,  but  is  witnessed  by  such  who  ever  tried 
it  in  their  most  pressing  straits,  and  extremity  ?  for  it  is  in 
the  darkx  st  night  this  truth  hath  most  brightly  shined  ;  and 
these  more  remarkable  venturous  acts  of  faith,  have  they 
not  still  brought  forth  most  convincing  experiments  of  this 
truth  ?  We  may  say,  there  is  none  can  give  a  better  ac- 
count of  the  performance  of  the  word,  than  those  who 
against  hope,  have  believed  in  hope,  that  this  never  made 
them  ashamed. 

3.  Is  it  not  also  clear,  whereof  there  are  such  solemn  ex- 
traordinary confirmations  in  all  ages  ?  For  that  his  name  is 
near,  his  wondrous  works  declare.  I  am  sure,  no  time 
could  ever  deny  its  witness,  how  by  great  convincing  prov- 
idences, both  of  judgment  and  mercy,  it  hath  been  so  seal- 
ed, as  hath  forced  atheists  to  keep  silence  ;  no  time,  where- 
in the  church  had  not  cause  to  erect  a  pillar,  and  engrave 
thereon,  JVe  have  seen  ivith  our  eyes  the  great  and  won- 
drous works  of  the  Lord,  by  which  he  hath  witnessed  the 
truth  of  his  word. 

4.  Is  it  not  a  manifest  truth,  which  even  in  the  most 
strange,  and  dark  footsteps  of  Providence,  so  clearly  shin- 
eth  forth  ?  These,  which  at  the  first  look  are  an  astonish- 
ment, and  hard  to  be  understood,  yet  after  most  clearly 
verify  the  scripture  ;  that  whilst  the  Lord's  way  goeth  out 
of  our  sight,  yea,  out  of  the  ordinary  road  of  his  working, 
through  a  labyrinth  of  turnings,  and  cross  dispensations, 
yet  at  length  it  doth  evidently  clear,  and  disentangle  itself, 
which  men  may  oft  see  break  forth  as  the  sun  out  of  a  dark 
cloud,  that  shineth  the  more  brightly,  the  more  it  was  ob- 
scur<  d. 

5.  Is  it  not  very  clear,  which  can  be  demonstrated  by 
such  visible  effects  in  these  grtat  changes  of  the  world  ? 
For  the  fulfilling  of  the  scripture  is  not  a  thing  hid  in  a  cor- 
ner, but  oft  published  on  the  house  tops,  that  men  may  see 
legibly  written,  upon  kingdoms  and  nations,  the  desolate 
ruins,  and  devastation  of  cities  and  houses  great  and  fair, 
which  are  made  to  be  without  inhabitants,  so  as  those  who 
go  by  may  clearly  read  the  cause,  and  bear  that  witness, 
Lo,  there  is  sin  visibly  punished  according  t&  the  word. 

6.  How  clear  is  this,  which  we  have  so  evidently  drawn 
out,  and  acted  over  in  a  christian  walk  ?  For  what  else  is 
the  spiritual  conversation  of  such,  those  visible  effects  and 
evidences  of  the  grace  of  God  all  along  a  christian's  way, 
but  a  visible  convincing  witness  to  the  performance  of  the 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture,  35 

word  ?  Have  not  such  a  very  audible  echo  and  resound  to 
that  which  is  the  great  drift  and  scope  of  the  scripture  ? 
where  men  may  see  the  bible  turned  over  into  a  practical 
history,  written  forth,  and  acted  on  the  heart,  and  conver- 
sation of  the  saints,  as  on  a  stage,  or  theatre  ;  the  word  liv- 
ing, speaking,  moving,  and  clearly  diffusing  itself  through 
all  the  veins,  as  it  were,  and  conduits  of  a  christian's  life  ; 
so  that  if  the  truth,  and  reality  of  the  grace  of  God  be  a 
thing  manifest,  and  unquestionable,  we  must  also  see 
therein  the  real  performance  of  the  scripture. 

7.  I  shall  add,  we  may  clearly  see  how  one  piece  of  the 
scripture  is  nothing  else  but  the  punctual  fulfilling,  and  ac- 
complishment of  the  other  ;  how  that  which  was  shadow- 
ed out  by  dark  types,  under  the  law,  and  held  in  a  proph- 
ecy, through  the  Old  Testament,  is  written  before  our  eyes 
in  a  plain,  and  real  history  in  the  New  Testament,  and  that 
the  gospel  is  only  a  fulfilling  of  the  law  and  the  prophets. 

IV.  Though  it  is  very  manifest,  and  by  undeniable 
proofs  can  be  demonstrated,  that  the  scripture  hath  a  real 
accomplishment,  and  doth  certainly  take  place,  in  the  con- 
stant course  of  providence  here  in  the  world,  that  I  am 
sure  if  men  do  not  darken  themselves,  they  can  be  no  stran- 
gers to  such  a  thing  ;  yet  we  must  say,  This  truth,  which 
most  nearly  concerns  us,  is  to  the  most  of  men,  (even  such 
who  seem  to  give  a  large-  assent  to  the  word)  a  mystery 
and  dark  riddle.  ^  There  are  few  who  do  but  inquire  if 
there  be  such  a  thing,  if  the  promises  and  threatenings  have 
indeed  a  certain  outmaking  ;  few  do  seriously  ponder  the 
providences  of  God,  in  which  the  truth  and  faithfulness 
of  the  word  shineth  forth,  that  they  may  thereby  be  further 
confirmed.  We  see  that  to  many,  (alas  too  many)  the  great 
concernments  of  the  law  and  everlasting  happiness  are  a 
trivial  and  an  impertinent  business  ;  this  is  a  truth  the 
world  doth  pass  without  regarding.  Such  as  sport  at  relig- 
ion, when  they  come  to  earnest  here,  dare  not  stand  be- 
fore this  discovery  ;  it  concerneth  them  much  to  reconcile 
their  principles  with  their  practice,  their  fear  begetteth  ha- 
tred, and  both  put  their  wit  and  invention  on  the  rack,  how 
to  dispute  away  any  remainder  of  a  conscience,  to  imprison 
their  light,  and  under  the  pretext  of  reason,  run  down  god- 
liness, and  the  absolute  necessity  thereof:  yea,  besides, 
doth  not  sensuality,  wherein  many  wallow,  and  steep  them- 
selves, so  dull  and  drown  the  soul,  put  such  an  interposi- 
tion of  the  earth  betwixt  them,  and  this  truth,  as  wholly 
darkens  it  ?  And,  oh,  how  sad,  that  many  having  a  large 
profession  to  be  christians,  scarce  ever  knew  what  it  is  to 
put  the  word  to  an  essay  and  trial,  in  the  concernments  of 


36  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture* 

their  life  :  to  have  their  light  followed  with  experience, 
wherein  the  very  truth  and  reality  of  religion  lieth. 

To  clear  this,  I  shall  hold  forth  some  things,  which  may 
shew  how  little  this  truth  of  the  scripture's  accomplish- 
ment is  known,  or  studied  by  the  most  of  men. 

1.  The  abounding  of  so  much  atheism,  that  there  are 
many  who  not  only  disclaim  the  practice  of  that  religion 
they  seem  to  profess,  but  do^ state  themselves  in  most  direct 
opposition  totherules  and  principles  thereof;  these  to  whom 
the  scripture  is  but  as  a  romance,  yea,  who  do  only  con- 
verse therewith  to  prove  their  wit  and  parts  in  impugning 
the  same  ;  who  avowedly  mock  at  the  judgments  and  prov- 
idences of  God  ;  I  confess^  these  may  be  reckoned  mon- 
sters, a  very  prodigy  in  the  time,  wherein  they  live;  though, 
alas,  it  is  not  the  least  part  of  the  world  !  and  which  is 
strange  !  we  see  the  most  horrid  atheists  do  usually  abound 
where  the  light  of  the  gospel  hath  most  shined,  the  sav- 
age places  of  the  earth  bring  forth  no  such  monstrous 
births,  as  are  hatched  within  the  visible  church  ;  for  thus 
the  judgment  of  God  putteth  a  blacker  dye  on  them  than 
others.  O  what  a  terrible  sound  would  the  fulfilling  of  the 
scripture  have  in  men's  ears,  if  they  once  came  to  have  se- 
rious thoughts  thereof;  since  they  cannot  admit  this,  but 
they  must  certainly  read  their  own  sentence  of  death,  which 
a  few  days  shall  put  in  execution  ;  and  if  the  scripture  be 
true,  they  are  then  unspeakably  miserable  ! 

2.  That  indifference  which  we  see  among  men  about 
religion,  and  the  most  interesting  truths  of  scripture,  doth 
show  how  little  this  is  known  or  laid  to  heart ;  whence, 
there  is  such  a  generation  who  do  not  professedly  deny  the 
scrip. ure,  yet  can  turn  it  over  in  a  school  problem,  and 
wonder  that  men  should  engage  so  far  upon  it.  It  is  not 
that  it  is  hid  from  them,  but  they  truly  choose  to  hide  them- 
selves from  it  ;  as  more  suiting  that  interest  they  drive, 
that  the  truth  of  God  should  be  rather  a  matter  of  opinion 
than  of  faith,  a  thing  which  they  would  dispute,  but  not 
believe.  But,  O,  what  other  thoughts  would  a  clear  sight 
of  this  cause,  that  within  so  few  days  the  truths  and 
threatenings  of  the  word  shall  be  sad  earnest ;  the  fulfilling 
whereof  no  sharpness  of  wit,  nor  subtle  arguments,  will  be 
able  to  evade ! 

3.  That  there  is  so  much  barren  theory  of  divine  truths 
in  the  world,  with  so  little  serious  christian  diligence,  doth 
it  not  sadly  witness  how  small  acquaintance  men  have  with 
this  truth  ?  Whence,  we  see  so  great  a  part  of  those  who 
professedly  acknowledge  the  word,  and  are  daily  convers- 
ing with  it,  yet  can  give  no  other  account  thereof  but  re- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  37 

port ;  so  many  that  can  satisfyingly  discourse  of  the  scrip- 
ture, could  never  put  their  seal  to  it,  that  God  is  true  there- 
in. Whence  are  so  many  great  school  divines,  and  able 
ministers  for  parts,  such  visible  atheists  in  their  way,  and 
practice  I  Is  it  not,  they  really  judge  divinity  and  religion, 
rather  a  science,  and  matter  of  speculation,  than  a  matter 
of  sense  and  feeling,  which  men  should  more  live  than 
speak,  and  cannot  be  known  without  experience,  the  true 
end  of  knowledge  ?  But,  O  this  cannot  be  found  in  books, 
men  will  not  meet  with  it  in  a  throng  of  choicest  notions, 
it  confoundeth  the  wise,  and  the  disputer  of  this  world, 
whilst  the  meanest  and  most  simple  christian  oft  knoweth 
more  than  those  of  greatest  parts. 

4.  The  great  hypocrisy  which  is  in  the  world,  I  mean 
within  the  visible  church,  doth  too  clearly  shew,  that  this 
truth  is  little  thought  on,  or  laid  to  heart.  For  what  is 
that  false  shew,  and  appearance  (which  we  may  say  is  not 
a  sin,  but  the  very  sinfulness  of  sin.)  Is  it  not  the  height 
of  atheism  ?  And  a  real  contradiction  in  their  practice,  to 
this,  that  the  scripture  of  God  is  true,  and  will  have  an  un- 
questionable accomplishment  ?  O  could  any  be  so  mon- 
strously irrational,  to  drive  this  poor  plot,  how  to  appear 
that  which  they  are  not,  to  be  at  such  pains  to  act  the  part 
handsomely  of  a  serious  christian,  to  personate  his  tears, 
and  grief,  his  spiritual  frame,  his  zeal  for  God,  if  he  did 
think  gravely  on  this  truth,  and  did  believe  the  threatenings 
of  the  word  :  that  they  will  surely  take  place  and  be  with- 
in a  little  while  no  compliment,  but  sad  earnest,  and  that 
he  is  every  hour  standing  under  that  scripture  wo  against 
hypocrites  ?  I  am  sure  it  would  make  his  very  hair  stand  up- 
right, his  joints  loose,  and  his  thighs  smite  upon  one  an- 
other, could  he  but  seriously  think  upon  this. 

5.  Those  unwarrantable  ways  which  in  a  time  of  trial 
men  take  for  their  escape,  may  witness  this,  that  the  word 
they  do  not  judge  a  sure  ground  to  venture  on.  Whence 
is  there  such  hesitation  in  suffering  times  ?  From  that  day 
many  taking  their  leave  of  Christ,  who  have  rather  chosen 
sin  than  affliction  ?  O  is  it  not  that  they  judge  the  testimo- 
ny of  the  God  of  truth  is  not  sufficient  security  to  carry 
them  through  such  a  strait,  and  are  not  fully  persuaded  that 
it  must  come  to  pass  what  he  hath  promised  ?  For  if  they 
were,  they  should  reckon  it  their  greatest  safety  to  embark 
their  interest  on  so  sure  a  ground,  and  with  much  quietness 
repose  their  soul,  and  disburthen  their  care  by  putting  it 
over  on  the  word.  ' 

6.  What  doth  the  frequent  discouragement  and  uncom- 
fortable walk  of  the  people  of  God  speak  forth  ?  cloth  it  not 


38  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

witness  how  little  they  are  in  earnest  with  this  great  truth 
of  the  scripture's  accomplishment,  or  established  herein  ? 
What  meaneth  these  distrustful  fears,  and  perplexed  com- 
plaints ?  If  their  eyes  be  but  open  to  know,  they  have  such 
a  well  as  the  promise  of  God,  at  their  hand,  how  is  it  that 
the  smallest  straits  are  so  puzzling,  and  ready  to  outwit 
them,  that  they  so  usually  stumble  at  the  cross  ?  And  as 
things  from  without  do  appear,  their  encouragement  made 
to  ebb  and  flow  ?  Is  not  here  the  cause,  that  they  stagger 
at  the  promise,  whilst  probabilities  in  some  visible  way, 
do  not  go  along  for  its  performance  ?  It  is  truly  easy  to 
have  some  sweet  notions  of  faith  at  a  distance,  but  whilst 
the  trial  comes  near,  upon  such  a  close  approach,  that 
there  is  not  another  way,  but  to  put  the  whole  stress  of 
their  particular  interest  on  the  word,  and  on  it  alone,  many 
are  then  at  a  stand,  because  they  are  not  thoroughly  assur- 
ed, that  though  the  earth  should  be  overturned,  there  is  an 
absolute  necessity  for  the  promise  of  God  to  take  place. 

Now  from  these  things  may  it  not  appear,  that  this  grave 
truth  of  the  scripture's  accomplishment  is  but  little  known, 
or  studied  ?  I  confess,  we  may  think  on  it  with  astonish- 
ment, how  a  matter  so  nearly  concerning  us  is  not  more 
our  work  !  there  are  indeed  many  things  worthy  to  be 
known,  but  our  short  life  can  scarce  allow  time,  or  give 
leisure  for  the  study  thereof.  But  O  this,  though  we  had 
only  two  days  to  live,  I  think  might  require  the  one,  to  be 
sure  and  persuaded  about  the  truth  of  that  whereon  our 
heaven  and  eternal  blessedness  lieth,  and  on  which  we 
must  lay  our  last  hold,  when  we  are  in  the  passage  at  that 
strange  step  betwixt  time  and  eternity.  O  what  a  wonder, 
how  rational  souls  who  walk  on  the  border  of  the  greatest 
hope  and  fear  imaginable,  can  j'et  be  so  unconcerned 
thereabout  !  such  serious  thoughts  might  force  men  to  re- 
tire, and  go  sit  alone  ;  and  truly  these  tilings  gravely  con- 
sidered may  seem  strange  and  hard  to  reconcile. 

1.  That  there  is  such  a  thing  as  the  very  word  and  tes- 
timony of  God  this  day  upon  record,  wherewith  we  have 
so  much  to  do,  which  doth  offer  itself  to  men's  trial,  and 
cxactest  search ;  and  yet  we  put  it  so  little  to  that  touch- 
stone, that  we  may  know  it  upon  another  account,  than 
report  o;-  uearsay. 

2.  How  in  a  matter  of  such  high  importance,  as  salvation 
through  all  eternity,  and  the  ground  of  this  hope,  men 
should  take  the  truth  on  an  implicit  faith,  or  satisfy  them- 
selves with  a  common  assent  thereto,  as  though  it  were 
enough  to  witness  our  believing  the  same,  because  we  did 
never  doubt  or  call  it  in  question  :  I  am  sure,  men  would 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture*  39 

not  be  so  lax,  and  so  easy  to  satisfy,  in  the  most  common 
interest  they  have  here  in  the  world. 

3.  How  can  men  render  to  others  a  reason  of  their  hope, 
when  it  is  inquired,  who  did  never  ask  a  reason  of  this  at 
themselves  ?  or  will  those  seal  the  truth  with  their  blood, 
who  never  had  it  sealed  upon  their  heart  by  experience  ? 

4.  Whence  is  it  that  men  can  have  comfort  in  scripture, 
who  are  not  well  grounded  in  the  faith  thereof  ?  Indeed 
those  who  are  solidly  persuaded  about  the  truth,  and  its 
certain  outmaking,  may  have  much  joy  and  peace  ;  whilst 
they  know,  the  ground  of  their  confidence  can  bear  up  any 
stress  or  burden  they  lay  upon  it.  And  for  what  end  did 
the  Lord  witness  the  certainty  of  his  word  by  two  immu- 
table things,  wherein  it  is  impossible  for  him  to  lie,  but 
that  from  so  sure  and  strong  a  ground,  his  people  might 
have  strong  consolation  ? 

5.  How  can  any  think  to  adventure  their  immortal  soul 
upon  that,  whereon  they  fear  to  venture  an  outward  in- 
terest ?  or  put  over  their  dearest  things  into  his  hand  and 
keeping,  who  could  never  say,  they  know  in  whom  they 
believed  ? 

6.  May  it  not  seem  strange,  that  men  can  believe  a  cer- 
tain performance  of  the  word  and  promises,  and  not  be 
more  deeply  affected  therewith  ?  O  is  this  true,  shall  it 
surely  come  to  pass,  and  not  one  jot  thereof  fall  to  the 
ground  1  and  should  it  not  cause  us  to  awake  in  the  night, 
and  ever  bear  us  company  ?  Ought  we  not  to  think  our- 
selves at  a  sad  pass,  that  day,  wherein  we  take  not  a  turn 
in  the  meditation  of  divine  truths,  if  we  be  sure  that  these 
must  take  place  ? 

7.  I  would  add,  if  this  be  indeed  the  scripture  of  God, 
which  surely  hath  an  accomplishment,  O  how  is  it  we  arc 
so  little  christians:  Why  doth  men's  walk  so  sadly  jar 
with  so  great  a  hope  ?  What  manner  of  persons  should 
those  be,  that  are  persuaded,  within  a  little  time  these 
heavens  must  pass  away  as  a  scroll,  the  elements  melt  with 
fervent  heat,  and  the  earth  be  burnt  up  ?  I  think,  if  this 
will  not  press  home  on  men,  to  be  fervent  and  diligent,  they 
must  be  in  a  very  sad  lethargy. 

V.  ^  The  accomplishment  of  scripture  is  a  most  clear,  and 
iindeniable  witness  of  its  divinity  ;  that  it  is  his  word,  who 
is  not  like  man  to  lie,  or  the  son  of  man  to  repent,  and 
hath  this,  as  its  distinguishing  character,  that  not  one  sylla- 
ble thereof  falls  to  the  ground.  This  is  the  undoubted 
privilege  of  God,  and  of  him  alone,  to  foresee  things  con- 
tingent, which  are  many  ages  after  to  fall  out,  and  have  no 
dependence  upon  necessary,  and  natural  causes  ;  and  truv 


4,0  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

ly,  this  may  be  a  convincing  argument,  yea,  we  may  say, 
of  all  external  testimonies  is  the  greatest ;  but  it  is  strange 
to  think  what  a  generation  there  is,  who  can  sport  at  the 
scripture,  and  question  the  truth  thereof!  who  yet  did 
never  once  seriously  inquire  if  such  a  thing  be  true,  else 
so  clear  a  witness  might  stare  them  in  the  face.  Such  a 
party  we  should  look  on  with  compassion.  It  is  also  sad 
to  think  at  how  poor  a  rate,  far  below  their  allowance,  many 
of  the  saints  do  here  live,  because  there  is  so  little  of  that 
excellent  and  more  noble  spirit,  to  search  the  scripture  for 
their  further  comfort  and  establishment  thereby. 

It  is  true,  this  blessed  record  doth  bear  witness  to  itself, 
and  is  known  by  its  own  light :  whereon  there  is  such  a 
visible  impress  of  the  glorious  God,  such  convincing  marks 
of  its  true  descent,  as  may  thoroughly  show  whose  it  is, 
and  how  far  it  exceeds  all  human  invention  ;  and  thus  by 
a  clear  manifestation  of  the  truth,  doth  commend  itself  to 
men's  consciences,  as  a  safe  ground  whereon  they  may  re- 
pose their  soul.  It  is  also  clear,  how  wonderfully  the 
scripture  hath  been  preserved,  and  the  original  copies 
thereof  kept  through  all  ages,  that  whatever  small  variation 
there  may  appear  as  to  some  Apiculi,  which  in  some 
places  hath  caused  diverse  readings,  yet  in  any  necessary, 
or  saving  truth,  the  greatest  critics  will  confess  they  do  not 
in  the  least  vary  ;  and  it  is  known  (wherein  we  are  to  adore 
that  special  providence  of  God)  that  the  Jewish  church, 
to  whom  this  sacred  depositum  was  delivered,  did  with 
such  exact  and  singular  care  look  to  the  same,  even  in  the 
least  tittle,  or  letter  thereof ;  this  being  the  great  wrork  and 
study  of  the  Mazorites,  from  one  age  to  another,  to  see  to 
the  preserving  of  that  great  record,  from  being  in  the  least 
vitiated  or  corrupted  ;  and  the  greatest  adversaries  of  the 
truth  cannot  possibly  deny  that  agreement  betwixt  those 
many  original  copies,  in  the  whole  substance,  which  may 
be  very  convincing  to  the  world.  And  do  not  men  see, 
how  marvellous  the  whole  frame  of  the  scripture  is  ?  What 
a  correspondency  betwixt  all  the  parts  thereof,  that  nothing 
in  it  doth  in  the  least  vitiate  the  proportion  and  beauty  of 
the  work,  but  it  has  all  along  an  evident  tendency  to  ad- 
vance holiness,  and  conform  the  soul  to  God.  With  a 
wonderful  consent  and  harmony  in  answering  to  this  great 
end,  we  see  the  simplicity,  and  plainness  of  its  style,  yet 
backed  with  a  convincing  majesty,  and  authority  upon  the 
conscience  ;  yea,  besides,  it  hath  been  attested  by  mira- 
cles, that  were  great  in  themselves,  famous  in  their  time, 
transmitted  to  the  church  in  after  ages,  with  unanswerable 
cyidences  of  their  truth  ;  that  not  only  the  witness  of  the 


T&e  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  41 

word,  but  other  pressing  and  rational  grounds  may  let  us 
see  there  could  be  no  deceit,  or  imposture  therein. 

These  are  a  great  testimony  to  the  truth  ;  but  I  may  say 
on  very  sure  ground,  that,  next  to  that  great  witness  of  the 
Spirit,  there  is  no  argument  more  convincing  to  reach 
atheism  a  stroke,  and  thoroughly  satisfy  an  exercised  spirit, 
who  may  be  plunged  about  this  great  thing,  the  authority 
of  the  scripture,  than  a  clear  discovery  of  its  performance 
whilst  under  the  assault  of  such  a  temptation.  If  this  be 
the  very  word  of  God,  they  may  but  retire  within,  and 
then  turn  their  eyes  abroad  in  the  world,  to  see  what  a 
visible  impress  of  the  word  is  stamped  on  every  piece  of 
the  work  and  providence  of  God.  Now  for  further  clear- 
ing, I  would  offer  these  few  things. 

1.  The  accomplishment  of  the  scripture  is  a  very  pub- 
lic testimony  from  heaven  to  its  divinity,  whilst  the  Lord 
by  his  works  through  the  earth,  which  are  done  in  the  view 
of  angels  and  men,  doth  solemnly  avow  that  this  is  his 
word.  For  we  must  say,  his  work  within  on  the  hearts  of 
his  people,  and  without  about  the  church,  is  such,  whereat 
men,  yea,  all  the  magicians  of  the  earth,  may  stand  amaz- 
ed, and  confess  that  nothing  less  than  a  divine  almighty 
power  can  accomplish  the  same. 

2.  This  gives  in  the  witness  of  all  the  generation  of  the 
righteous  ;  who  from  the  beginning  have  proved  the  truth 
thereof,  yea,  it  is  sealed  by  the  blood  of  many  excellent 
christians,  some  of  whom,  though  they  could  not  well  dis- 
pute for  it,  yet  had  so  strong  a  demonstration  of  the  power 
of  the  truth  within,  as  made  it  an  easy  wTork  to  die  for  the 
same. 

3.  This  cloth  clearly  shew,  the  scripture  is  an  unchange- 
able rule  of  righteousness  that  alters  not ;  but  takes  place 
in  all  ages,  whence  such  as  are  wise  to  bring  providence 
into  the  word,  and  compare  the  experience  and  remarks 
of  one  time  wifch  another,  may  have  a  great  reach,  and  be 

hus  Jed  in  a  sure  path,  as  to  the  foreseeing  of  events. 

4.  This  also  doth  demonstrate,  that  it  is  his  word,  who 
doth  rule  and  guide  the  world,  and  hath  a  sovereign  do- 
minion over  the  same  :  whilst  we  may  here  see  such  re- 
markable events,  which  both  in  the  present  and  in  former 
times  have  fallen  out,  as  may  shew  a  power,  that  can  reach 
the  greatest  with  a  stroke,  shake  the  most  established  king- 
doms, and  even  over  the  belly  of  insuperable  difficulties, 
accomplish  the  word  ;  yea,  that  surely  the  spirit  of  the 
wheels  which  moves  them,  is  from  him  whose  word  this 
is.  For  it  is  not  more  clear,  that  these  curtains  of  the 
heavens  are  stretched  forth  over  the  earth,  than  that  the 

F 


42  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

scripture  is  stretched  out  over  the  whole  work  and  frame 
of  Providence  :  so  as  that  all  the  motions  and  steps  thereof, 
even  of  the  most  casual  things  that  fall  out,  have  a  visible 
tendency  to  accomplish  those  ends  which  the  scripture 
hath  held  forth. 

5.  This  clearly  sheweth,  it  must  be  his  word,  who  hath 
foreseen  all  things  that  were  to  befal  the  church,  and  the 
various  changes  and  adventures  of  every  christian's  life 
through  time  ;  whilst  it  is  so  wonderfully  shaped  and  suit- 
ed to  every  new  trial  of  the  church,  as  if  intended  only  for 
that  time,  and  to  every  case  of  a  godly  man,  as  though  it 
had  been  alone  writ  for  them. 

6.  This  also  sheweth,  that  he  who  is  the  author  of  the 
scripture,  and  hath  framed' that  admirable  piece,  must  have 
some  immediate  correspondence  with  the  spirit  of  man, 
knowethour  sittingdown,  and  rising  up,  yea,  doth  search 
the  heart  and  the  reins.  For  experience  can  tell  how  the 
word  is  directed  to  the  heart,  doth  reach  the  most  inward 
contrivances  thereof,  doth  so  clearly  reveal  and  open  up  a 
christian  to  himself,  that  we  may  say ,  of  a  truth  he  is  the 
God  of  the  spirits  of  all  flesh,  and  one  greater  than  our 
heart,  whose  it  is. 

7.  I  shall  further  add,  the  fulfilling  of  the  scripture  in 
the  experience  of  the  saints  doth  shew,  it  is  not  a  dead  let- 
ter, out  hath  power,  and  life  ;  and  there  must  be  an  en- 
lightening quickening  spirit,  that  surely  goeth  along  with 
the  same.  This  clearly  demonstrates  something  above 
words,  yea,  above  nature,  in  the  written  word,  that  can 
make  such  a  change  upon  the  soul,  give  life  to  the  dead, 
open  the  eyes  of  the  blind,  yea,  can  turn  a  lump  of  earth, 
that  formerly  tended  downward,  now  without  any  violence 
to  move,  from  a  principle  of  life  towards  God,  as  the 
sparks  flee  upward. 

VI.  The  accomplishment  of  the  scripture  is  a  most  pleas- 
ant, and  truly  delectable  subject,  ^  worthy  tof  our  serious 
thoughts,  and  study.  For  here  is  held  out  the  highest 
truth,  for  the  judgment  to  contemplate  the  truth  and  faith- 
fulness of  God  in  the  word  ;  and  here  is  also  the  greatest 
good  for  the  affections  to  embrace,  and  delight  in,  as  that 
wherein  our  whole  happiness  is  certainly  wrapt  up.  It  is 
undeniable,  that^  it  is  the  godly  man,  who  knoweth  best 
what  true  and  solid  pleasure  is ;  which  he  doth  not  lose,  by 
turning  his  heart  from  the  creature  to  God,  but  maketh  a 
blessed  exchange.  O,  how  far  do  the  joys  and  delights  of 
the  soul  exceed  those  of  the  senses  !  And  the  delight  of  a 
christian,  how  far  doth  it  surpass  that  of  a  natural  man, 
even  in  his  best  estate  !  and  sure,  this  precious  study  of 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  43 

the  daily  performance  of  the  word,  is  one  of  these  paths  of 
pleasure,  which  would  bring  in  more  solid  joy  to  the  spirit 
in  some  few  hours,  than  some  years  wallowing  in  the  car- 
nal delights  of  the  flesh,  which  is  but  as  pleasure  in  sport, 
but  quickly  turneth  to  grief  in  earnest.  It  is  one  of  the 
great  mistakes  of  the  world,  that  religion  tends  so  much  to 
sadden  and  disquiet  the  soul ;  nay,  it  is  certainly  the  want 
of  this,  because  we  are  so  little  truly  religious.  When  we 
shuffle  over  our  duty,  and  take  but  a  passing  look  of  the 
ways  and  work  of  God  in  the  world,  then  it  is  indeed  very 
affrighting,  and  unpleasant :  but  when  in  a  more  christian 
way,  we  do  seriously  look  thereupon,  and  get  our  heart 
near  God,  taking  the  word  along  with  us,  O  how  delight- 
ful, and  ravishing  a  sight  will  this  be  !  ^  I  truly  think, 
though  there  were  not  a  command,  though  it  were  no  duty, 
nor  such  advantage  in  the  study  of  this  grave  truth,  yet 
that  joy  and  refreshment,  which  the  soul  would  find  in  such 
a  diligent  search,  in  going  down  into  this  blessed  deep, 
should  invite  us  thereto. 

But  when  I  speak  of  this,  what  a  sweet,  and  delightful 
subject,  the  performance  andoutmaking  of  the  scripture  is, 
it  must  be  understood,  that  it  is  so  only  to  the  saints  :  and 
it  is  no  wonder,  the  world  keep  at  such  a  distance  from  it ; 
for  this  is  a  truth  they  cannot  bear,  they  hate  it,  which  (as 
Micajah)  doth  prophesy  always  hard  things,  and  carrieth 
a  message  of  death  to  them  ;  a  serious  view  of  this  truth, 
to  ungodly  men,  is  as  the  hand  writing  upon  the  wall  before 
them,  which  doth  foretell  their  approaching  ruin,  and 
should  cause  them  all  to  tremble  ;  the  knowledge  whereof 
must  increase  their  sorrow,  and  disquietness,  yea,  cause 
them  to  cry  out,  O,  do  not  torment  us  before  the  time. 
For  they  are  surely  undone,  and  ruined,  if  the  scrip- 
ture of  God  be  true,  and  hath  a  performance.  But, 
O  what  pleasant  and  refreshful  tidings  doth  this  carry  to  a 
christian  !  What  a  sweet  view  doth  he  here  get  of  the  in- 
heritance, and  blessed  estate  of  the  saints,  which  may  cause 
such  an  exclamation,  How  great  is  that  goodness,  which  is 
laid  up  for  those  that  fear  thee  ! 

To  demonstrate  this,  I  shall  hold  out  some  things,  from 
which  we  may  see  how  delightful  a  subject  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  scripture  is,  for  a  christian  to  study. 

1.  Serious  converse  with  this  grave  truth  leadeth  for- 
ward to  practice,  and  thus  helpeth  to  bring  down  theory  to 
experience  :  which  is  the  most  sweet,  and  desirable  of  all 
other  demonstrations,  that  we  can  have  of  the  truth  of  the 
scripture,  and  maketh  our  light  clear,  and  pleasant  to  the 
eyes,  turning  the  exercise  of  our  judgment  and  reason 


44  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

thereabout,  into  sense  and  feeling  ;  we  are  then  made  to  sec 
\\  hat  a  difference  there  is,  betwixt  that  discovery  which  a 
spiritual  man  (whose  religion  is  his  practice)  hath  of  this, 
and  the  cold  winter  light  of  natural  understanding,  that 
hath  no  heat  or  warmth  therewith  ;  which  is  as  great  a 
difference,  as  betwixt  hearing  of  such  a  thing  by  report,  and 
seeing  it  with  our  eyes. 

2.  This  blessed  study,  how  the  scripture  hath  certain 
accomplishment,  would  help  us  to  read  the  word  with  an- 
other kind  of  pleasure.  O,  what  representation  should 
then  the  truths  and  promises  thereof  have  to  the  godly  man  ? 
It  would  be  as  one  going  in  to  look  over  his  charters,  and 
the  great  things  therein  contained,  which  he  doth  not  in 
the  least  debate,  or  question,  since  they  are  past  the  seals, 
and  fully  ratified,  and  now  considereth  all  which  is  promis- 
ed, as  his  own,  which  he  looked  in  former  times  upon,  but 
as  a  common  thing,  whilst  he  made  not  earnest  of  the  cer- 
tainty thereof,  and  what  an  interest  he  had  in  the  same. 
O,  when  he  readeth  that  promise  of  a  new  heaven  and 
earth,  and  that  glorious  estate  which  abideththe  saints  ;  he 
cannot  turn  his  eyes  and  thoughts  so  easily  off  it,  but  is 
made  to  stand,  and  wonder,  that  so  great  a  thing,  that  will 
make  such  a  marvellous  change  in  his  condition,  is  even 
shortly  to  come  to  pass  !  How  sweet  and  pleasant  is  it,  for 
such  an  one  to  turn  over  the  promises,  who  can  set  to  his 
seal,  and  bear  this  witness,  that  he  hath  as  really  proved 
the  truth  thereof  by  sure  experience,  as  he  kneweth  he 
hath  a  real  being  !  Surely  the  bible  is  another  thing  to 
these,  than  it  is  to  the  greater  part  of  men,  who  only  make 
it  the  subject  of  their  contemplation. 

3.  In  this  blessed  study  we  should  have  much  brought 
to  our  hand  to  observe,  and  our  observation  made  sweet, 
and  pleasant  to  us.  For  there  we  might  see  how  all  the. 
paths  of  the  Lord  towards  his  people  are  mercy  and  truth  : 
this  would  give  us  a  refreshing  diary  of  Providence  ;  how 
in  such  a  plunging  strait  we  found  the  word  sensibly  seal- 
ed ;  what  observable  confirmations  we  have  had  there- 
with, at  such  a  time  and  in  such  a  condition  ;  the  after  re- 
counting of  which  in  an  hour  of  trial,  or  in  the  evening  of 
our  life,  would  exceed  the  greatest  pleasures,  the  men  of 
this  world  can  have,  in  looking  over  their  gold  and  great- 
est treasures,  which  for  many  years  they  have  been  lay- 
ing up. 

4.  In  the  serious  study  of  the  daily  accomplishing  of 
the  scripture,  we  should  have  a  most  satisfying  view  and 
prospect  of  what  God  is  doing  up  and  down  the  earth  ; 
what  purposes  and  designs  he  hath  on  foot ;  and  how 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture,  45 

things  here  beneath  do  work  together  for  carrying  on  of 
the  same.  We  should  see  what  an  excellentand  curious 
piece  of  work  this  frame  of  providence  is,  which  the  more 
it  is  considered,  it  will  be  the  more  a  wonder  ;  how  per- 
fect in  all  its  various  colours  ;  what  an  observable  concur- 
rence there  is  here  ;  how  several  discords,  which  we  see 
here,  do  yet  agree  with  one  consent,  for  the  completing  of 
God's  design,  which  is  still  going  on  ;  and  whilst  we 
think  there  must  be  some  disorder  amongst  the  wheels, 
we  are  made  after  to  see  that  this  confusion  was  an  excel- 
lent step  of  Providence,  confounding  the  wisdom  of  men  ; 
every  piece  of  his  way  being  so  knit  to  another,  as  discov- 
ers to  such  who  make  this  blessed  truth  their  serious  study, 
a  most  rare  contexture,  beyond  the  reach  of  the  greatest 
artists  that  ever  was.  Here  also  we  might  go  up  to  that 
watch  tower  of  christian  observation,  and  from  thence  take 
a  grave  view  of  God's  way,  and  lay  his  work  in  the  world 
to  the  scripture  as  the  measuring  line  ;  where  we  should 
see  (and  find  the  sight  thereof  very  pleasant)  how  the  word 
every  day  takes  place,  doth  issue  through  all  the  veins  and 
arteries  of  providence,  each  line  whereof  is  so  exactly- 
drawn,  as  by  a  pencil  in  some  skilful  hand,  to  that  great 
exemplar  of  the  scripture.  Here  we  might  discern  those 
eminent  examples  of  judgment  and  mercy,  that  in  every 
age  are  set  before  us  ;  how  wicked  men  prosper  for  a 
time,  yet  have  a  dreadful  issue,  and  are  suddenly  cast  in- 
to destruction  ;  they  spread  as  a  green  bay  tree,  and  with- 
in a  little  time  their  place  cannot  be  found  ;  also  how  the 
godly  are  oft  sore  afflicted,  yet  flourishing  as  the  palm  tree, 
and  the  more  they  are  depressed,  the  more  they  grow ; 
how  the  enemies  of  the  church  are  oft  lifted  up,  for  a  sorer 
fall ;  and  the  church  brought  low,  in  order  to  her  greater 
enlargement ;  how  judgment  findeth  out  sinners,  and  is 
oft  exactly  proportioned  in  measure  and  kind  to  the  sin  ; 
and  on  the  other  hand  how  integrity  is  sore  tossed  oft,  yet 
still  falleth  upon  its  feet,  and  overclouded  that  it  may 
shine  more  brightly  after  ;  how  the  threatening^  of  the 
word  do  visibly  overtake  kingdoms  and  nations,  bring  down 
great  houses,  cause  those  brought  up  in  scarlet  to  embrace 
the  dunghill,  and  oft  let  not  the  hoary  head  of  cruel  and 
wicked  men  go  into  the  grave  in  peace  ;  and  again  to  con- 
sider how  the  Lord  forsaketh  not  his  people,  but  sheweth 
respect  to  their  way  ;  the  good  man  walketh  in  his  integ- 
rity, and  his  seed  after  him  is  blessed.  O,  how  sweet  an 
exercise  were  this  for  a  christian,  even  to  lose  himself  in  ! 
5.  From  thence  we  might  in  a  great  measure  discern  what 
of  the  night  it  is  with  the  church ;  if  there  be  any  evidences 


46  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

that  it  is  near  day ;  and  what  such  a  sinful  case  doth  threaten ; 
we  should  be  skilful  to  feel  the  church's  pulse,  and  there- 
by find  what  symptoms  there  are  of  life  or  death,  and  per- 
ceive a  dark  cloud  of  judgment  advancing,  when  it  is  but 
like  an  handbreadth.  Surely  this  study  would  make  us 
wise  to  know  the  times,  and  what  we  ought  to  do  therein  ; 
for  amongst  those  various  events  which  fall  out  in  every 
age,  the  Lord's  way  is  constant  with  itself,  and  with  his 
truth,  if  we  be  right  observers. 

6.  Here  we  should  have  a  most  pleasant  and  clear  view, 
how  the  scripture  of  God  comprehendeth  the  whole  state 
of  the  church,  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  time  :  that 
it  is  a  most  full,  and  perfect  register  of  all  the  vicissitudes 
and  alterations,  which  are  to  go  over  her  head,  whilst  in  a 
militant  condition  ;  and  doth  also  most  exactly  point  out 
those  occurrences,  and  remarkable  events,  which  fall  out 
in  the  ordinary  way  and  course  of  providence,  that  we  may 
read  them  as  evidently  in  the  word,  as  we  see  them  with 
our  eyes  fall  out  in  the  world.  For  in  following  this  study, 
we  should  clearly  see  how  the  scripture  bringeth  the  church 
to  light,  out  of  the  womb  of  an  eternal  decree,  and  doth 
trace  it  from  the  first  promulgation  of  the  gospel  after  the 
fall,  through  these  dark  times  before  the  flood,  whilst  it 
was  but  in  families,  and  through  that  long  trial  in  Egypt, 
and  all  its  settled  and  flourishing  condition  in  Canaan,  and 
carrieth  her  forward  through  all  the  several  changes  of  her 
case,  under  her  following  decay,  and  in  the  time  of  the  cap- 
tivity, even  to  the  manifestation  of  Christ,  and  dawning  of 
the  gospel.  And  as  it  thus  taketh  in  within  its  reach  the 
whole  estate  and  the  special  events,  which  did  befal  the 
church  under  the  law,  so  we  may  see  how  the  scripture 
also  follovveth  the  church,  through  the  whole  time  of  the 
gospel,  and  bringeth  her  as  a  grain  of  mustard  seed  from  a 
day  of  small  things,  until  it  bring  her  to  perfection,  taketh 
her  as  it  were  by  the  hand  from  her  infancy,  and  goeth 
with  her  through  all  the  turnings  of  her  condition  ;  through 
that  long  and  dark  night  of  antichrist's  reign,  pointeth  clear- 
ly out  her  condition,  and  various  assaults  that  she  should 
endure  in  that  time,  and  that  blessed  victory  which  she 
should  afterwards  have,  though  not  all  at  once,  but  gradu- 
ally, over  her  enemies  ;  and  that  the  word  and  the  church 
do  never  part,  but  one  walketh  step  for  step  with  the  other, 
until  it  bring  her  safe  to  land,  and  as  it  were  put  her  off  its 
hand  and  guard,  at  the  coming  of  Christ. 

7.  This  would  also  help  us  to  sweet  thoughts,  and  give 
us  matter  of  a  song  in  the  saddest  night  of  the  church's  con- 
dition.   When  we  see  how  God's  great  design  in  the 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  47 

world  is  the  accomplishing  of  the  scripture,  and  know  that 
his  ends  which  he  hath  held  forth  therein,  cannot  be  frus- 
trated, it  would  serve  to  silence  all  our  complaints,  with 
wondering  at  God's  way,  and  triumphing  in  the  works  cf 
his  hands  :  we  should  not  then  be  afraid  of  evil  tidings  ; 
a  stormy  time  would  not  outwit  us  ;  being  persuaded  that 
though  the  earth  should  be  overturned,  it  shall  be  surely 
well  with  the  righteous,  the  church  must  flourish,  and  all 
her  enemies  be  found  liars,  because  he  is  faithful  that  hath 
promised,  whose  word  will  as  surely  come  to  pass,  as  the 
sun  doth  return  after  a  dark  night. 

VII.  It  doth  now  more  specially  concern  the  godly  hi 
these  latter  times,  to  study  this  great  truth  of  the  accom- 
plishment of  the  scripture,  and  set  about  a  serious  inquiry 
and  search  therein,  as  a  truth  that  shall  yet  be  in  a  further 
measure  discovered,  and  opened  up,  the  nearer  the  church 
is  to  the  end  of  time  :  which  may  thus  appear. 

1.  Herein  is  the  word  express,  that  one  piece  of  the 
scripture,  which  from  former  ages  was  sealed  up,  should 
in  the  latter  days  be  clear,  and  easy  to  understand.  Dan. 
xii.  4,  9.  The  seal  is  there  put  on  ;  but  go  thy  way 
Daniel,  for  these  words  are  closed  up  and  sealed  till  the 
time  of  the  end.  But,  Rev.  xxii.  9.  We  have  that  bar 
taken  off,  Seal  not  the  sayings  of  the  prophecy  of  this  book  ; 

for  the  time  is  at  hand ;  because  then  the  time  did  draw- 
near,  to  which  a  more  full  discovery  and  opening  of  the 
scripture  was  reserved,  and  a  more  large  manifestation  of 
the  spirit  beyond  former  ages.  Now  by  the  last  days,  we 
are  not  only  to  understand  the  whole  time  of  the  gospel, 
though  it  is  thus  termed  in  the  scripture,  but  the  latter  part 
of  these  last  times,  which  is  more  especially  pointed  at, 
even  the  close  and  evening  of  time,  that  last  epocha,  and 
period  of  prophetic  chronology,  to  which  a  greater  accom- 
plishment of  scripture  prophecies  is  reserved. 

2.  This  also  is  expressly  promised,  that  in  the  latter 
days,  the  church  shall  have  a  more  full  discovery  of  this 
truth,  how  the  scripture  is  verified,  Dan.  xii.  4.  Many 
shall  run  to  and  fro,  and  knowledge  shall  be  increased  ; 
which  increase,  as  it  clearly  pointeth  at  the  last  times,  and 
that  bright  day  the  church  shall  have,  when  Israel  shall  be 
brought  in  to  Christ,  it  doth  also  point  at  and  promise 
some  greater  light,  and  a  more  full  opening  up  of  the  mys- 
teries of  the  word,  and  fulfilling  thereof :  For  the  former 
part  of  the  chapter  sheweth,  that  increase  of  knowledge 
doth  relate  to  those  things  which  were  before  sealed.  We 
wait  and  believe  the  further  accomplishment  of  this  prom- 
ise to  the  church,  beyond  all  we  have  yet  seen  ;  that  many 


48  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

scripture  truths,  now  dark  and  abstruse,  shall  be  made  so 
clear,  as  shall  even  cause  us  to  wonder  at  the  gross  mis- 
takes we  once  had  thereof,  yea,  that  after  generations  shall 
have  a  discovery  and  insight  into  some  prophecies  now  ob- 
scure, which  shall  as  far  exceed  us,  as  this  time  doth  go 
beyond  former  ages,  which  comparatively  we  must  say 
were  very  dark.  O  !  when  that  promise,  of  the  incalling 
of  the  Jews  shall  once  take  place,  what  a  wonder  will  they 
be  to  themselves,  that  their  understanding  should  have 
been  under  such  a  veil  !  When  die  truth  shall  be  clear, 
and  evident  to  them  in  that  day  !  Will  it  not  be  a  sweet 
and  easy  work,  for  the  godly  to  sort  together  the  predictions 
of  the  word,  and  the  events  ?  And  truly  there  is  much 
now  wrapt  up  in  scripture  prophecies,  not  yet  fulfilled, 
which  (we  may  say)  in  after  times,  when  the  event  shall 
unveil  their  meaning,  will  exceed,  yea,  confound  all  those 
comments,  many  have  had  upon  them. 

3.  Is  it  not  also  clear,  that  those  prophecies,  which  of  all 
the  scripture  were  most  obscure,  and  overclouded  with 
dark  figuresand  allegories,  concerning  which  there  had 
been  such  mistake  and  hesitation  by  the  church,  so  many 
perplexing  queries,  have  a  peculiar  respect  to  the  last  times  ? 
And  that  then  they  shall  be  made  plain,  and  easy,  when  so 
notable  a  key,  as  the  event  doth  open  them  up ;  such  as  those 
of  the  witnesses  recovering  life,  and  rising  again,  Babylon's 
fall  and  ruin,  Christ  reigning  with  his  saints  a  thou  sand  years, 
which  now  are  in  some  measure  already  cleared,  from  their 
begun  accomplishment,  beyond  former  times  ;  but  we 
wait  for  a  more  full  commentary,  that  time  shall  give  upon 
the  same. 

4.  It  is  in  the  latter  times,  that  the  glory  of  God  in  his 
truth  and  faithfulness,  shall  most  eminently  shine  forth. 
That  is  a  part  of  the  solemn  congratulation  of  the  church 
upon  Babylon's  fall,  Rev.  xv.  3.  not  only  Great  and  mar- 
vellousare  thy  works,  but  just  and  true  are  thy  ways.  For 
truly  in  this  stroke  of  the  judgment  of  God,  and  those  re- 
markable providences  concurring  therewith,  the  fulfilling 
of  the  scripture  will  be  so  plain  and  undeniable,  that  we 
may  say,  it  will  then  dazzle  the  eyes  of  men,  even  greatest 
atheists,  alarm  the  world,  yea,  very  effectually  contribute 
(we  have  ground  so  to  judge)  to  that  promised  increase  of 
the  church,  and  incoming  of  the  Jews,  when  in  Antichrist's 
fall  and  ruin  they  shall  see  so  convincing  a  seal  put  to  one 
of  the  most  considerable  prophecies  of  the  word  ;  in  the 
accomplishment  whereof  much  of  the  prophetic  part  of  the 
New  Testament,  relating  to  the  church's  state,  and  her 
long  trial  under  Antichrist's  reign,  may  be  seen  clearly 
verified, 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  49 

5.  The  Lord  hath  reserved  his  greatest  works  to  the 
latter  days,  wherein  his  judgments  shall  be  manifest,  and 
the  word  confirmed  by  such  solemn  convincing  provi- 
dences, that  men  wilj  not  get  them  passed  without  a  re- 
mark ;  we  are  this^  day  witnesses  to  many  such,  and  are 
looking  what  these  times  shall  yet  bring  forth,  that  the  great 
and  remarkable  acts  of the  Lord  must  force  the  world  to 
see  a  divine  power  ;  and  sajr,  lo,  there  is  an  undoubted  ac- 
complishment of  the  scripture. 

6.  The  church  in  these  last  times  hath  peculiar  advan- 
tages, for  understanding  this  truth  of  the  scripture's  ac- 
complishment, which  former  ages  had  not.  1.  A  great 
part  thereof  is  now  fulfilled,  that  men  may  see  with  their 
eyes,  if  they  but  know  hovv  to  lay  the  word  and  work  of 
God  together.  The  christian  church  had  in  former  times 
but  dark  glances  at  these  great  things,  which  we  have  this 
day  visibly  transcribed  in  providence  ;  the  promises  were 
then  travailing  in  birth  of  that  which  is  now  brought  forth. 

2.  Are  we  not  mounted,  as  it  were,  on  the^  shoulders  of 
that  experience  and  observation  of  former  times,  which 
hath  been  transmitted  to  us  ?  and  we  must  say  upon  that 
account,  the  church  hath  now  a  greater  seal  and  confirma- 
tion of  the  truth,  than  what  it  had  in  the  days  of  the  proph- 
ets and  the  apostles,  even  when  Christ  was  in  the  flesh. 

3.  The  temple  of  God  and, ark  of  his  Testament,  is  now 
opened  in  heaven,  light  more  fully  abounding,  and  the 
means  of  knowledge.  And,  O  !  should  not  this  be  much 
our  study,  who  have  a  greater  talent  than  former  ages  ! 
certainly  this  will  be  a  sin  of  a  deeper  dye,  than  in  times  of 
ignorance ;  since  \v;e  can  be  no  strangers  to  this  truth,  with- 
out shutting  our  eyes,  blinding  the  conscience,  doing  vio- 
lence to  our  light,  when  the  Lord  doth  give  his  people  such 
solemn  confirmations. 

7.  I  shall  add,  is  it  not  clearly  foretold  in  Dan.  xii.  4. 
that  in  the  last  times  this  will  be  one  of  the  special  exercises 
of  the  saints  to  inquire,  and  make  a  diligent  search  con- 
cerning the  scripture's  accomplishment  ?  For  it  is  there 
said,  many  shall  run  to  and  fro,  and  knowledge  shall  be  in- 
creased ;  importing,  that  this  shall  be  much  their  study, 
and  cause  a  diligent  search,  whereunto  the  great  works  of 
God  in  these  times  shall  invite  them  i  And  what  should 
be  the  postiip  of  the  godly  in  these  days,  on  whom 
the  end  of  the  world  is  come  ?  should  it  not  be  like  the 
watchman  in  the  last  watch  of  the  night,  who  looketh  oft 
what  appearance  there  is  from  the  east  of  the  day  breaking  ? 
A  serious  inquiry  what  of  the  scripture  is  fulfilled,  where. 
by  we  may  know  on  very  clear  grounds,  if  the  night  be  far 

c 


50  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

spentj  the  day  at  hand,  and  that  die  coming  of  the  Lord  to 
judgment  drawetb  near. 

VIII.  Tins  is  a  great,  and  interesting  duty  for  christ- 
ians to  siudy  this  truth,  thai  they  may  have  something  more 
than  rcfjort,  hoiv  the  ^scripture  hath  a  sure  accomplishment ', 
and  doth  take  place  in  the  providences  of  the  time  where- 
in we  live.  I  must  think  it  strange,  that  there  is  such  a 
great  help  as  this,  so  near,  and  yet  we  see  it  not,  nor  do 
seriously  ponder  the  same,  when  the  command  is  so  ex- 
press to  observe  the  works  of  the  Lord,  which  for  that  end 
are  shewed  forth,  that  men  may  inquire,  and  read  the  faith- 
fulness of  God  therein  ;  yea,  that  so  great  a  truth,  which 
would  abide  the  search  of  all  the  critics  of  the  world,  a 
truth  wherein  our  blessedness  through  time  and  eternity 
lieth,  should  offer  itself  to  our  trial,  and  yet,  is  so  little 
known  !  O,  who  can  dispense  with  the  neglect  of  this  du- 
ty ?  by  which  we  answer  that  solemn  call  and  invitation  of 
the  works  of  God,  do  honour  him,  serve  our  generation, 
are  helpers  to  our  own  faith,  and  are  thereby  helped  to 
strengthen  others,  yea,  are  brought  to  see  with  our  eyes, 
and  from  experience,  what  before  was  as  a  strange  tiling 
o  us. 
Now  to  clear  how  much  tins  is  a  christian's  duty,  to 
study  a  practical  converse  with  the  word,  and  to  be  serious 
observers  of  its  accomplishment,  let  us  consider, 

1 .  We  are  thus  helped  to  declare  the  works  of  the  Lord, 
and  to  give  him  the  glory  of  his  faithfulness.     And  is  not 
that  a  weighty  duty  ?  which  at  all  times,  in  every  station 
and  condition  of  life,   should  engage  men  to  this  study. 
Thus,  every  christian  may  become  a  witness  to  the  truth, 
and  put  his  seal  thereto  ;  for  which  he  should  think  his  life 
truly  desirable,  and  doth  in  no  small  measure  attain  the 
true  end  thereof,  though  he  had  no  other  opportunity,  for 
his  master's  service.     We  may  say,  this  truth  of  the  scrip- 
ture's accomplishment,  like  a  great  roll,  hath  been  trans- 
mitted froni  hand  to  hand,  from  one  age  to  another,  attest- 
ed, and  as  it  were,  subscribed  by  so  many  witnesses,  it 
doth  thus  come  to  our  tune,  and  to  every  man's  door,  and 
require  their  personal  witnessing  and  sealing  of  the  same. 
£2.  This  should  make  it  an  easy  work,  to  trust  the  word, 
and  to  adventure,  thereon  in  the  ordinary  occurrences  of 
their  life.     They  may  well  trust  God  in  a  strait,  who  have 
so  strong  an  argument  to  make  use  of,  that  eft  they  have 
tried  him,  and  the  truth  of  his  word,  by  many,  many  ex- 
periences. Will  not  those  that  knap  his  name,  trust  on  hhn  ? 
Which  was  a  notable  testimony  from  a  serious  christian  in 


f 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture,  5 1 

a  very  sharp  trial :  "  Oft  have  I  tried  God,  and  shall  I  not 
learn  to  trust  him  once  ?" 

3.  This  doth  lay  the  christian  in  the  way  of  that  promise. 
Psal.  cvii.  43.  a  promise  truly  large  and  comprehensive, 
but  little  considered,  that  such  as  arc  ivise  to  observe  the 
works  of  God,  they  shall  see  the  loving  kindness  of  the  Lord, 
even  in  their  own  particular  case  made  out  to  them,  yea. 
whilst  they  are  serious  to  observe  his  works  abroad  in  the 
world,  and  his  way  to  others,  they  shall  be  no  losers  thereby 
at  home  ;  but  find  this  promise  meet  them  and  turn  their 
general  observation,  into  personal  experience  of  the  loving 
kindness  of  the  Lord. 

4.  Thus  the  saints  by  experiencing  the  truth  of  the  word, 
et  a  convincing  seal  thereby  to  their  interest  in  the  promise, 
or  begun  possession  is  indeed  a  strong  witness  to  this 

right,  when  they  can  say,  they  have  got  as  certain  returns 
of  the  word,  which  they  have  put  to  an  essay,  in  some  par- 
ticulars of  their  life,  as  they  are  sure  of  any  thing  they  did 
ever  see  ;  so  that  from  unquestionable  experience  they  may 
set  up  a  pillar,  and  write  thereon,  Hitherto  hath  the  Lord 
helped  us. 

5.  Thus  should  christians,  with  much  advantage^  be 
helped  to  convince  gainsayers.  For  it  is  sure,  atheism 
could  not  make  so  bold  and  public  an  appearance,  if  men 
did  not  so  much  take  their  religion  on  trust.  O,  the  seri- 
ous experienced  man  can  with  another  confidence  own  the 
truth  ;  whose  experience  and  observation  of  the  works  of 
God  give  him  an  argument  that  none  can  answer,  while 
not  only  he  can  assert,  but  conduct  and  lead  men  to  the 
things  themselves,  that  they  may  see,  if  in  such  and  such 
particulars  the  scripture  be  not  truly  fulfilled. 

6.  Thus  the  providence  of  God  would  have  a  more 
sweet  refreshing  countenance  ;  when  from  this  great  Might 
that  watchtower  of  christian  observation,  we  take  a  view 
thereof.  And  truly,  otherwise,  men  will  stumble  at  the 
most  ordinary  dispensations,  and  think  God.'s  work  is  a 
mass  of  confusion  :  but  here  we  are  taught  to  sec,  how  the 
written  word  and  his  way  are  linked  in  a  most  sweet  agree- 
ment. 

7.  We  may  thus  trace  divine  truth,  even  by  our  sense 
and  feeling,  and  join  the  word  and  experience  in  a  regular 
correspondence  :  yea,  thus  we  should  have  a  clear  trans- 
cript of  the  Lord's  way  with  his  church,  taken  out  of  that 
great  authentic  original  of  the  scripture,  and  there  see  ou 
what  a  solid  basis  and  foundation,  that  magnificent  struc- 
ture of  Providence  is  raised  up.  What  a  notable  key 
should  we  thus  have  for  opening  the  scripture,  by  a  serious 


52  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture, 

humble  inquiry  after  the  works  of  God  ?  where  not  only 
the  impression  and  sign  of  the  power,  but  of  the  truth  am} 
faithfulness  of  the  Lord,  are  so  very  legible. 

8.  This  is  apiece  of  our  talent,  wherewith  we  are  en- 
trusted ;  of  which  every  christian  should  study  a  serious 
improvement,  knowing  they  must  render  an  account,  what 
their  observation  of  this  great  truth  hath  gained,  and  what 
further  establishment  and  confirmation  they  have  thus  at- 
tained, 

9.  I  would  add,  the  concernment  and  weight  of  this 
study  may  press  it  much  on  us.  For,  if  the  scripture's  ac- 
complishment be  an  undoubted  truth,  O  !  then  this  is  sure, 
the  saints  have  a  great  inheritance  :  they  are  princes, 
though  now  under  a  disguise  ;  and  though  yet  minors, 
they  are  heirs  of  more  than  the  world  can  shadow  forth. 
The  christian  is  then  more  happy  on  a  dunghill,  scraping 
his  sores,  than  such  who  are  clothed  in  purple,  and  fare 
delicately  every  day.  If  this  be  sure,  we  should  look  with 
compassion,  rather  than  envy,  on  those  whom  the  worlcl 
doth  account  happy.  We  need  not  question  the  gain  of 
godliness  ;  then  it  is  sure,  that  such  who  sow  in  tears,  shall 
reap  in  joy  ;  and  the  righteous,  though  now  trampled  upon, 
in  the  morning  shall  have  dominion.  Yea:  in  a  word,  we 
may  then  on  sure  ground  solace  ourselves  with  the  thoughts 
of  that  great  change,  which  will  be  within  a  little  time  when 
the  grave  must  render  back  her  prisoners  ;  and  may  with 
as  much  assurance  of  a  blessed  resurrection,  lie  down  in 
the  dust,  as  we  are  sure  there  will  be  a  morning,  when  we 
lie  down  at,  night.  O  !  then,  there  is  a  heaven,  and  a  hell, 
that  is  certain  ;  eternity  is  not  a  night  dream  ;  and  one  mo- 
ment  shall  shortly  put  an  end  to  all  our  services,  yea,  the 
shutting  of  our  eyelids  at  death,  shall  but  open  them  in  the 
paradise  of  God. 

Having  touched  this  truth  a  little  in  the  general,  I  shall 
now  hold  forth  some  arguments,  whence  the  accomplish- 
ment  of  the  scripture  may  be  demonstrated.  They' are 
these  five,  which  I  intend  to  prosecute  in  the  following  dis- 
course. 

FIRST  Argument,  To  prove  the  scripture  is  certain- 
ly fulfilled,  and  hath  an  accomplishment,  is  this.  That 
which  hath  been  in  all  ages  the  testimony  of  the  saints; 
what  every  particular  christian  doth  seal,  from  their  fre- 
quent and  sure  experience ;  what  is  found  and  proved  by 
them,  in  their  daily  walk,  upon  exactest  trial ;  yea,  what  as 
many  as  ever  were  serious  in  religion,  do  witness,  must  be 
certain  and  true. 

.  But  the  accomplishment  of  the  scripture  is  such  :  There- 
lore,  &c, 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  53 

II.  Argument.  That  which  is  manifest  and  legible  in 
the  whole  course  and  tenor  of  providence  about  the  church, 
and  by  clear  convincing  instances  both  of  judgment  and 
mercy,  is  made  out  to  the  observation  of  every  age,  must 
be  a  certain  truth.  But  the  scripture's  accomplishment 
is  such  :  Therefore,  &c. 

III.  Argument.  That  which  hath  not  only  the  christ- 
ian's testimony  from  experience,  and  of  the  church  from 
constant  observation,  but  is  obvious  even  to  the  view  of 
the  world  ;  that  which,  from  the  conscience  of  the  worst  of 
men  doth  force  a  testimony,  that  they  can  neither  shift  nor 
deny  ;  which  also  may  be  demonstrated  to  the  conviction 
of  ordinary  observers,  and  hath  a  public  acknowledgment 
from  greatest  atheists  and  mockers  of  religion  in  every  age, 
must  surely  be  a  clear  truth.  ^  But,  &.c.     Therefore, 

IV.  Argument.  That  which  was  to  take  place  in  such 
and  such  periods  of  time,  and  hath  accordingly  come  to 
pass,  the  event  exactly  answering  to  the  prediction  ;  yea, 
that  whereof  a  great  part  is  now  fulfilled,  and  but  a  little 
at  this  day  remaineth  to  be  made  out,  must  be  a  certain 
truth. 

But  a  great  part  of  the  scripture  is  thus  already  fulfilled, 
and  but  a  little  thereof  now  remaineth.    Therefore,  &c. 

V.  Argument.  That  which  not  only  is  for  the  most 
part  already  accomplished,  but  is  a  thing,  whereof  we  have 
such  sure  confirmations,  yea,  so  great  a  pledge  in  our  hand 
from  the  Lord,  that  what  yet  remains  shall  be  certainly  ful- 
filled, must  it  not  be  an  undoubted  truth  ?  But  the  scrip- 
ture, as  to  these  special  predictions,  that  are  not  yet  made 
out,  is  such  concerning  which  the  Lord  hath  given  his 
people  a  very  large  pledge,  and  strong  confirmations,  now 
in  these  latter  times,  to  believe  their  certain  accomplish- 
ment.    Therefore,  &c. 

THE    FIRST    ARGUMENT. 

THAT  the  scripture  of  God,  contained  in  the  Old  and 
New  Testaments,  wherein  our  great  hope  and  comfort 
doth  lie,  is  certainly  true,  and  hath  a  real  accomplishment, 
may  be  thus  demonstrated  :  That  it  is  tried,  and  proved  in 
the  godly  man's  experience,  to  which  in  all  ages,  yea,  from 
innumerable  proofs,  the  saints  have  put  to  their  seal,  that 
this  is  a  sure  and  faithful  testimony. 

Experience  is  indeed  a  strong  demonstration  ;  and  it  is 
such  a  witness,  as  leaveth  no  room  for  debate.  For  here 
the  truth  is  felt,  proved,  and  acted  on  the  heart ;  which  the 
christian  knoweth  well,  and  is  as  sure  of,  as  he  is  persuad- 


T/jc  Fulfilling  of  the  Scrip  tw  e. 

ed  chat  he  Hveth,  or  that  the  sun  when  it  shineth,  hath 
light  and  warmth  therewith.  It  is  true,  the  world  liveth  at 
a  great  distance  from  this  ;  they  only  converse  with  the 
sound  of  such  a  thing  ;  and  we  know,  the  naked  theory  of 
scripture  truth  hath  but  a  short  reach,  and  that  it  differeth 
as  Far  from  that  which  a  serious  practical  christian  hath,  as 
the  sight  of  a  country  in  a  map  is  from  a  real  discovery  of 
the  same  :  where  the  difference  is  not  in  the  degree,  but 
in  the  kind.  Yet,  though  this  weighty  testimony  of  ex- 
perience is  a  thing  whereto  many  (alas  !  too  many)  are 
strangers,  we  must  say,  so  much  thereof  is  obvious,  as 
may  force  its  authority  on  men's  consciences,  and  shew 
there  can  be  no  fallacy  or  delusion  in  this  witness,  if  they 
but  allow  the  use  and  exercise  of  reason  ;  seeing  it  is  not 
the  record  of  a  few,  at  onetime,  or  in  one  corner  of  the 
earth,  but  a  solemn  witness  from  the  saints  and  followers  of 
God,  whose  judgment  and  integrity  their  adversaries  must 
often  confess  ;  yea,  of  all  the  saints  in  every  age  through 
the  whole  universal  church  in  parts  of  the  earth  most  re- 
mote from  other  ;  and  this  by  most  frequent  renewed 
proofs  hath  found  and  experienced  the  truth  and  real  ac- 
complishment of  the  word.  And  now,  if  this  be  not  suf- 
ficiently convincing,  I  would  but  add,  O  will  you  then  come 
and  see  !  be  but  christians  indeed,  and  then  ye  will  no 
more  debate  that  testimony.  And  truly  it  is  a  very  poor 
shift  for  men,  who  have  the  scripture  before  them,  which 
of  itself  doth  witness  its  authority,  and  this  backed  with  so 
solemn  a  seal  from  the  Lord  by  his  works  and  providence, 
to  debate  the  christian's  witness,  from  their  experience, 
because  they  do  not  see  this  themselves.  For  what  is  the 
cause  thereof?  is  it  not  their  choice,  that  they  do  not 
follow  on  to  knew  the  same  :  The  truth  of  God  seeketh 
credit  from  no  man  upon  trust ;  yea,  craveth  no  more  but 
that  by  a  practical  converse  they  would  put  it  to  a  trial ;  and 
then  it  shall  not  decline  their  judgment. 

Now  to  prosecute  this  argument  a  little,  I  shall  point  at 
some  special  scripture  truths,  with  which  christians  have 
most  usual  trade  and  coriverse  in  their  own  case  ;  and 
give  in  therewith  their  testimony,  how^  these  are^  clearly 
'proved  and  verified  by  most  sure  experience.  It  is  notto 
be  here  understood,  the  giving  a  particular  account,  with 
respect  to  persons,  time,  or  other  circumstances,  how  the 
word  doth  thus  take  place.  I  think,  it  may  be  sufficiently 
convincing,  to  instance  in  the  general  such  clear  un- 
controverted  experiences,  which  are  well  known  to  the 
godly,  and  have  by  them  been  oft  proved  amidst  the  vari- 
ous changes  of  their  life  (though  not  by  all  iii  the  same 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture,  55 

measure,  but  in  some  suitable  proportion  to  their  different 
sizes,  trials,  and  wrestlings)  which  can  witness  that  real 
correspondence,  which  the  word  hath  with  the  experience 
of  the  saints  :  and  truly  concerning  these  I  may  with  some 
confidence  assert,  they  are  not  naked  or  airy  notions,  but 
such  as  can  witness  their  truth  to  the  serious  experienced 
christian,  whom  on  this  account  I  dare  attest. 

I.  shall  here  instance  in  five  special  truths  of  the  word, 
which  are  much  tried  and  proved  in  christians'  experience. 
1.  That  there  is  such  a  contrariety  betwixt  the  flesh  and 
the  spirit,  as  the  scripture  holdeth  forth.  2.  The  deceit- 
fulness  of  man's  heart.  3.  That  there  is  a  spiritual  and 
invisible  adversary,  with  whom  we  have  war.  4.  That 
the  promises  of  the  word  have  undoubted  accomplishment. 
5.  That  the  truth  also  of  the  threatenings  ;  I  mean,  such 
under  whose  reach  the  godly  may  fall. 

I.  _  That  there  is  a  contrariety  betwixt  the  fiesh  and  the 
spirit,  a  law  in  our  members  rebelling  against  the  law  of 
our  mind,  is  a  truth  very  clearly  proved  to  the  christian  ; 
whose  experience,  though  sad,  doth  undeniably  verify  and 
confirm  the  scripture,  Gal.  v.  17.  Rom.  vii.  19,21,  23. 
This  is  a  piece  of  the  word  which  holds  forth  man's  nature 
in  its  true  shape  and  form,  whither  their  bias  and  inclina- 
tion most  easily  turneth  :  yea,  so  marvellously  answereth 
their  experience,  that  to  question  the  same,  were  to  put  it 
far  beyond  queftion,  that  they  know  nothing  of  a  new  na- 
ture or  principle  of  grace  within.  For  who  ever  marie 
earnest  of  religion,  but  their  first  acquaintance  with  the 
peace  of  God  was  the  beginning  of  this  war  ?  It  is  then  that 
the  house  divideth,  and  corruption  setteth  up  a  standard  ; 
yea,  no  sooner  can  any  begin  to  be  a  christian,  but  he  must 
be  a  soldier  also.  And  we  may  say,  none  ever  attained 
such  a  measure  of  mortification,  or  was  so  old  in  the  grace 
of  God,  as  could  privilege  them  from  the  stirrings  of  the  old 
man,  and  necessity  of  that  complaint,  Who  shall  deliver  tm 
from  the  body  of  death  !  But  whatever  advantage  some  of 
the  saints  have  above  others,  yet  in  this  their  experience 
can  witness. 

1.  They  now  know  two  different  parties  within  them- 
selves, that  until  once  grace  came  they  could  not  under- 
stand ;  which  at  the  same  time,  in  the  very  same  action,  do 
act  oppositely  one  to  the  other  :  yea,  that  there  is  no  spir- 
itual duty,  wherein  the  flesh  (though  not  always  in  such  a 
prevalent  degree)  doth  not  shew  some  active  resistance. 

2.  That  all  the  stirrings  and  motions  of  the  flesh  have 
still  a  tendency,  congruous  to  their  own  nature,  to  turn  the 
heart  carnal,  and  to  alienate  it  from.  God  ;  so  as  it  is  easy 


56  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

to  discern,  how  in  these  the  rise  and  the  end  do  thoroughly 
correspond. 

3.  That  this  is  a  cruel  taskmaster,  if  once  it  bear  sway  ; 
imperious  in  its  command,  and  violent  in  its  pursuit  ;  so 
that  their  experience  may  herein  tell,  it  is  a  sore  and  an  in- 
tolerable thing,  for  a  servant  to  bear  rule. 

4.  That  to  things  most  forbidden  the  flesh  moveth  most 
impetuously  ;  so,  as  it  will  even  break  through  the  hedge, 
though  sure  thereby  to  be  scratched  with  thorns  :  yea,  it  is 
oft  so  eager  in  its  pursuit,  that  it  will  follow  the  bait,  while 
the  hook  is  most  discernible. 

5.  That  when  once  this  doth  swell,  and  wax  fat ;  they 
may  upon  another  interest  cry,  Wo  is  us,  our  leanness  ! 
For,  like  the  scales  of  the  balance,  they  find  a  proportion- 
able abatement  and  depressing  of  their  spiritual  life,  as  the 
flesh  goeth  up  ;  yea,  they  have  cause  to  know  how  every 
step  of  their  heart  going  forth  to  the  world,  is  a  step  that 
doth  put  them  further  off  from  God. 

6.  That  the  more  closely  the  law  is  pressed  in  its  spiritual 
extent,  yea,  the  more  spiritual  a  duty  is,  the  more  fully  op- 
posite they  find  their  carnal  heart :  and  though  the  flesh 
may  bear  up  a  little  with  the  form  of  religion,  and  hath 
more  complacency  with  that  way  which  lieth  most  in  ex- 
ternals, yet  it  cannot  endure  the  power  thereof ;  it  can  suf- 
fer men  to  be  hypocrites,  but  not  truly  christians. 

7.  To  restrain  andbring  this  under  bondage,  they  find 
that  it  doth  put  the  spirit  so  much  at  liberty,  which  getting 
loose  reins  for  a  little  while, will  leave  the  soul  work  for  ma- 
ny days,  and  with  sad  aftergroans  pay  back  an  hour's  pleas- 
ure :  yea,  they  also  know,  when  the  outward  man  is  low, 
and  under  a  sensible  decay,  it  hath  not  then  hindered,  but 
rather  effectually  helped  their  inward  joy  and  strength.  ^ 

8.  That  indulgence  to  the  flesh  causeth  a  sensible  thick 
interposition  between  heaven  and  the  soul ;  whence  they 
are  so  clogged  and  hampered  in  their  flight  and  motion  to- 
ward God  ;  yea,  thus  have  often  their  choicest  duties  been 
made  a  sore  and  grievous  task. 

9.  That  this  is  the  true  rise  of  their  usual  perturbations, 
^ind  doth  still  put  some  jar  betwixt  them  and  their  lot,  and 
doth  hinder  a  satisfied  enjoying  of  that  which  they  have, 
through  murmuring  at  that  they  want ;  yea,  they  know, 
that  to  please  the  flesh  hath  been  oft  the  cause  of  their 
greatest  grief  and  displeasure. 

10.  They  also  find  how  the  defilement  of  their  spirit 
doth  help  to  darken  it ;  which  overgrown  with  the  flesh, 
can  have  no  clear  discovery  of  spiritual  things  ;  but  the 
more  separate  from  the  body,  and  purged  from  these  gross 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  57 

dregs,  they  find  themselves  at  a  further  advantage  to  cow- 
verse  with  divine  truths,  which  thus  they  get  discovered, 
beyond  all  that  nature  can  reach. 

II.  That  the  heart  of  man  is  deceitful,  and  desperately  e%il% 
(Jer.  xvii.  9,  iv.  14.  Prov.  iv.  23.)  is  a  scripture  truth, 
whereto  the  christian's  experience  doth  answer,  as  the  face 
answereth  to  itself  in  the  glass  :  yea,  we  may  say,  it  is  so 
clearly  demonstrated  to  those  who  were  ever  serious  about 
their  inward  case,  that  while  they  thus  read  the  word  in 
themselves,  and  are  made  to  read  themselves  in  the  word, 
they  may  with  wonder  acknowledge,  that  he  which  can 
sound  this  great  deep  of  the  heart,  and  draw  so  lively  a 
portrait  thereof,  is  surely  one  before  whom  all  things  are 
manifest ;  who  doth  search  and  try  the  reins,  and  know 
what  is  our  mould  and  fashion.  This  is  one  of  the  very 
first  lessons,  which  practical  religion  doth  teach  :  and  the 
more  nearness  with  God,  and  further  measure  of  grace, 
that  is  attained,  the  more  clear  discovery  there  will  be  of 
this. .  O  what  sad  hours,  what  bitter  complaints,  hath  it 
caused  ?  This  oft  doth  mar  the  christian's  feast,  and  min- 
gle their  wine  with  gall  and  wormwood.  I  am  sure,  if  that 
excellent  company  of  the  saints,  who  have  been  from  the 
beginning  to  this  day,  could  be  brought  together,  to  give 
in  their  suffrage,  and  witness  concerning  the  deceitfulnt  ss 
of  the  heart,  there  would  be  one  joint  testimony  to  this 
truth.  We  should  find  that  Enoch  who  walked  with  God, 
Mos-es  with  whom  he  spake  face  to  face,  that  beloved  dis- 
ciple who  leaned  on  Christ's  bosom,  and  he  who  was  caught 
up  to  the  third  heavens,  were  no  strangers  thereto,  but 
could  witness  thus. 

1.  That  it  is  within,  which  aileth  them  most,  and  their 
greatest  adversaries  are  men  of  their  own  hou^e  ;  jrea,  that 
in  the  worst  of  times,  there  is  still  more  cause  to  complain 
of  an  evil  heart,  than  of  an  evil  and  corrupt  world  ;  there 
being  no  worse  company,  than  they  are  oft  to  themselves* 

2.  That  no  time  of  their  life,  but  might  give  them  some 
further  proof,  that  they  are  fools,  who  trust  their  own  heart, 
which  oft  will  escape  and  overreach  their  quickest  reflec- 
tion, even  when  both  their  eyes  are  on  it ;  yea,  that  there 
is  no  time  that  alloweththe  putting  off  their  armour,  or  to 
dismiss  their  guard  ;  not  the  best  case,  the  greatest  estab- 
lishment in  grace,  nor  the  evening  of  the  day,  though  they 
were  within  some  minutes  of  the  crown  and  complete  vic- 
tory, doth  privilege  them  from  the  experience  of  a  deceit* 
fal  heart. 

3.  That  under  the  best  frame,  they  find,  there  will  often 
lurk  that  which  after  time  doth  discover,  that  for  the  pre*- 

» 


58  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

ent  (though  it  had  been  told)  they  could  not  have  believed, 
until  frequent  experience  niaketh  them  see,  that  the  word 
knew  thtir  heart  better  than  themselves. 

4.  That  to  bring  home  their  heart,  when  once  it  goeth 
abroad,  or  recal  the  liberty  they  have  given  it,  is  not  easy ; 
which  doth  no  sooner  parley  with  a  temptation  at  a  dis- 
tance, or  adventure  to  sport  therewith,  but  it  quickly  turn- 
eth  to  earnest,  and  is  ready  to  yield. 

5.  They  know  the  constant  need  to  have  a  watch  upon 
their  senses,  and  to  make  a  covenant  with  their  eyes,  which 
do  quickly  betray  their  heart ;  so  easy  it  is  to  be  deceived, 
yea,  to  grow  warm,  and  to  take  fire  upon  the  smallest 
touch. 

6.  How  quickly  also  their  spirit  doth  flacken,  and  lose 
its  bent,  even  in  the  greatest  advantage  of  their  case  ;  their 
experience  can  tell,  that  when  in  some  measure  they  have 
been  raised  up  in  any  spiritual  enjoyment,  they  were  then 
in  hazard  to  be  lifted  up  to  the  wind,  and  to  have  their  sub- 
stance dissolved  in  the  more  solid  part  of  Christianity. 

7.  What  a  sight  have  they  sometime  of  themselves  ? 
such  as  would  be  a  terror  to  them,  if  the  heart  and  mo- 
tions thereof  could  be  writ  out  to  the  view  of  others,  or  that 
any  were  witnesses  to  that  which  in  one  room  will  dwell 
besides  the  grace  of  God  as  its  next  door  neighbour. 

8.  Jn  a  word,  their  experience  doth  witness,  how  soon 
the  strongest  resolutions  will  vanish  ;  that  they  are  not  oft 
in  the  evening,  what  they  were  in  the  morning,  nor  for  ma- 
ny hours  do  they  keep  the  ground  they  had  attained  ;  but 
Reuben'' s  character,  unstable  as  %vaterr  may  be  still  their 
complaint.  Yea,  I  am  sure  as  many  as  ever  obtained 
mercy  to  know  themselves,  can  tell  that  it  is  past  all  reck- 
oning, how  qft  their  heart  hath  deceived  them,  when  they 
trusted  it  most.  This  every  day  may  cause  them  to  sit 
down,  and  admire  the  grace  of  God  ;  which  can  mend 
what  they  so  oft  mar  ;  and  is  stronger  to  save  and  preserve, 
than  they  are  to  destroy. 

III.  That  as  there  is  a  body  of  death  within,  they  also 
know  there  is,  An  adversary  without,  Eph.  vi.  12, 1.  Pet. 
v.  8,  J  oh.  viii.  44,  whose  way  and  devices  and  method  of 
tempting  do  most  exactiy  answer  the  discovery  of  the 
word.  This  is  indeed  a  truth,  which  christian  experience 
in  all  ages  doth  witness,  that  no  sooner  they  had  a  serious 
look  after  God,  but  found  themselves  pursued  by  an  invis- 
ible party,  whose  approaches,  though  spiritual,  are  yet  cer- 
tain, and  most  sensibly  demonstrated  ;  beside  that  which 
the  word  doth  clearly  teach.  Yea,  it  is  true  none  of  the 
saints  were  ever  privileged  from  such  experiences,    for 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  59 

lierein  doth  the  christian's  warfare  lie.  But,  O  how  sweet 
may  the  evening  be,  while  they  sit  down,  and  can  sing  that 
song,  Our  soul  hath  escaped  as  a  bird  from  the  fowler.  I 
shall  here  give  in  something  of  the  godly  man's  experience, 
which  can  bear  witness  to  this. 

1.  That  there  is  surely  another  party  than  the  world,  or 
themselves,  with  which  they  have  to  do ;  an  invisible  ad- 
versary without,  whom  they  perceive  by  that  sensible  cor- 
respondence he  keepeth  with  their  heart  within,  by  those 
violent  inroads,  importunate  solicitations,  those  impetuous 
motions,  wherewith  they  are  so  strangely  hurried,  and  oft 
driven  over  light,  and  judgment,  yea,  over  their  strongest 
resolutions,  so  as  he  may  be  as  discernable  to  them,  and 
that  there  is  something  therein  beside  themselves,  as  if  they 
conversed  with  him  in  an  outward  visible  shape. 

2.  That  since  the  time  when  they  began  to  look  after  Go  n, 
and  to  knowany  thing  of  his  work  upon  their  spirits,  they 
have  been  acquainted  with  most  affrighting,  dreadful  temp- 
tations, and  do  now  perceive  his  rage,  and  violent  pursuit 
to  bring  them  back,  which  they  knew  not  before,  when  at 
peace  with  their  idols  and  sinful  way. 

3.  That  the  mark  he  levelleth  at,  to  which  his 
usual  temptations  have  a  tendency,  is  their  soul  and  in- 
ward man,  to  hinder  communion  with  God,  and  to 
turn  their  heart  off  from  him,  to  break  the  law,  and  lay 
aside  commanded  duties, 

4.  That  his  ordinary  approaches  to  the  heart  are  oft  by 
a  very  small  thing  ;  he  needs  no  more  but  an  open  door, 
or  a  sinful  look  for  the  dispatch  of  a  temptation,  and 
knoweth  by  a  wound  in  the  eye,  how  to  carry  death  in  un- 
to the  soul. 

5.  That  he  is  such  a  party  as  knoweth  his  time  and  op- 
portunity, can  change  his  weapons,  and  busk  the  hook  with 
divers  baits,  and  yet  he  is  always  at  hand,  when  the  heart 
is  lifted  up,  when  they  are  out  of  their  duty,  and  in  a  carnal 
frame,  to  set  in  then  with  some  temptation,  and  fish  in  such 
a  troubled  water. 

6.  That  his  way  doth  truly  answer  his  name,  spiritual 
wickedness  in  high  places  ;  this  being  so  discerned  by  daily- 
experience,  that  he  hath  the  advantage  of  the  ground,  is  a 
most  subtile  observing  adversary,  who  lieth  in  the  dark  to 
us,  while  we  are  in  the  light  to  him,  and  knoweth  how  to 
correspond  with  our  corruption,  and  to  suit  his  temptation 
to  our  natural  temper,  (wherewith  he  is  well  acquainted) 
and  to  our  calling,  and  our  company,  to  the  present  strait, 
to  our  predominant  inclination,  and  to  our  retirement  and 
solitude  ;  yea,  that  he  is  one  who  knoweth  how  to  follow 


60  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

in,  and  ply  with  such  a  gale,  when  we  are  in  hot  blood,  or 
in  any  distemper  and  discomposure  of  spirit. 

7.  That  he  can  transform  himself  into  an  angel  of  light, 
and  suit  his  temptations  to  the  spiritual  exercises  and  en- 
joyments of  the  saints  ;  that  there  are  temptations  on  the 
right  hand  as  well  as  the  left,  which  are  so  refined,  and  so 
like  a  christian  exercise,  that  they  can  scarcely  discern  the 
weed  from  the  flower,  and  most  dreadful  errors  from  the 
choicest  truths,  to  which  they  oft  have  a  great  resem- 
blance ;  though  at  last  it  doth  appear  that  the  native  tenden- 
cy even  of  the  most  specious  errors  in  the  judgment, 
is  to  looseness  in  practice,  and  to  make  men  religiously  ir- 
religious. 

8.  That  he  is  also  a  roaring  lion  ;  which  they  have  oft 
proved  by  dreadful  blasphemous  injections,  these  'fiery 
darts  which  are  thrown  in  with  violence,  wherewith  there 
is  no  concurrence  of  the  inclination  or  consent,  but  a  dis- 
cernable  force  put  upon  them,  assaulting  them  with 
most  horrid  atheistical  thoughts,  even  while  their  heart 
doth  rise  with  abhorrence,  and  enter  their  dissent  against 
the  same. 

9.  That  he  is  a  most  restless  adversary  ;  who  is  going 
still  about,  and  giveth  no  cessation,  but  with  purpose  to  re- 
turn at  some  greater  advantage  ;  and  is  no  less  terrible  in 
his  flight,  than  in  his  assault ;  and  that  he  can  speak  out  of 
a  friend,  as  well  as  out  of  a  foe  ;  yea,  and  doth  then  most 
dangerously  tempt,  when  the  temptation  is  least  seen  or 
discovered. 

10.  That  his  temptations  do  not  only  drive  at  engaging 
of  the  heart  to  bring  sin  to  the  thought,  but  also  the  bring- 
ing  it  forth  to  the  act,  for  putting  some  blot  upon  their  walk 
and  conversation. 

11.  That  he  is  one.  who  is  overcome  by  resistance,  and 
doth  flee  before  those  that  withstand  him  ;  which  they  have 
oft  proved,  that  they  have  returned  from  prayer  with  the 
spoil  of  their  adversary,  and  at  such  a  time  have  been  made 
to  wonder,  how  that  which  hath  oft  foiled  them,  should 
have  been  their  temptation. 

12.  They  also  find  by  frequent  observation,  that  though 
he  is  most  subtile,  being  indeed  one  who  through  long  ex- 
perience and  continued  practice  hath  attained  a  great  deal  of 
dexterity  in  tempting  ;  yet,  he  hath  one  usual  method,  and 
such  devices  which  the  serious  christian,  by  daily  ex- 
perience and  watchfulness,  may  easily  discern,  and 
perceive  his  temptations  in  their  rise,  and  at  a  distance 
while  they  are,  as  it  were,  creeping  up  the  wall  :  yea, 
thus  in  some  measure  he  may  find,  out  the    depths  of 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture,  6 1 

satan,  and  know  how  to  avoid  the  net  spread  by  that  great 
fowler. 

IV.  That  the  promises  of  the  word  which  are  held  forth 
to  the  godly,  for  their  use  and  encouragement  while  they 
are  in  the  way,  have  a  certain  accomplishment,  and  are  a 
safe  ground  to  adventure  upon,  and  worthy  to  be  credited, 
is  a  truth  tried  in  all  ages  ;  whereto  experience  of  the  saints 
can  give  a  large  testimony. 

Now  in  speaking  to  this  grave  subject,  it  is  not  needful 
to  speak  any  thing  of  the  nature  and  diverse  kinds  of  prom- 
ises, nor  whence  it  is  that  we  live  at  so  poor  a  rate  and  so 
uncomfortably,  while  such  a  well  as  this  is  at  our  hand.  For 
it  is  easy  to  read  the  cause  within  ourselves,  we  sow  spar- 
ingly,  and  venture  little  out,  therefore  we  have  so  small  an 
increase  ;  there  is  a  price  for  wisdom,  but  it  is  in  the  hands 
vf fools,  who  have  no  heart  thereto.  But  this  doth  not  con- 
cern us  here  ;  for  I  only  aim  to  hold  out  this,  that  the 
promises  which  God  hath  given  his  people  in  the  scrip- 
ture, are  of  unquestionable  verity,  and  have  as  real  and 
sure  performance  in  the  saint's  experience,  as  they  are  sur« 
of  that  which  cometh  most  necessarily  to  pass  by  the  work 
and  concurrence  of  natural  causes,  as  that  the  fire  doth  burn 
when  combustible  matter  is  added,  or  the  sun  rise  after  its 
going  down.  For  indeed  this  truth  is  so  manifest,  proved 
by  such  innumerable  experiments,  amidst  the  various 
changes  of  a  christian's  condition,  that  we  might  sum- 
mon as  many  witnesses  as  have  been  followers  of  God  in 
the  world,  which  are  not  a  few,  who  in  all  ages  have  put  the 
promises  to  an  essay,  and  set  their  seal  that  God  is  true. 
Yea,  to  ask  at  such,  if  they  know  whether  there  be  a  truth 
in  scripture  promises,  that  cometh  not  to  pass,  I  think  were 
to  inquire  at  a  living  man,  whether  he  seeth  and  feeleth,  or 
if  there  be  such  a  thing  as  motion,  since  they  have  as  sure 
and  sensible  a  demonstration  of  the  one,  as  he  hath  of  the 
other. 

"  But  ere  I  speak  any  thing  particularly  to  this,  I  would 
first  premise  somethings,  to  clear  what  we  understand  here, 
by  the  saints  experience  of  the  truth  of  the  promises,  in 
these  following  considerations. 

1.  We  would  consider,  though  the  scripture  hath  here 
its  accomplishment,  and  is  intended  for  the  use  of  the 
church,  and  every  particular  christian,  while  on  the  way 
in  his  militant  condition,  yet  there  are  seme  promises  of 
the  word  (yea,  the  greatest)  which  belong  to  the 
saints,  that  will  not  be  fulfilled,  until  they  have  cast  of 
their  armour,  and  are  called  to  divide  the  spoil :  their  expe- 
rience of  which,  will  bethei?i^  prize  of  the  calling  of 


62  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

God  in  Christy  whereof,  all  which  they  now  enjoy,  is  but 
an  earnest. 

2.  We  would  consider  that  the  great  intent  of  the  scrip- 
ture, and  promises  thereof,  is  not  for  contemplation,  but 
that  we  may  know  them  by  experience,  and  drive  a  blessed 
trade  and  commerce  therewith  ;  the  merchandize  of  which 
is  better  than  that  of  gold:  for  here  lieth  the  christian's  life 
in  the  world,  yea,  it  is  a  great  part  of  their  talent,  the  prom- 
ises, which  are  not  to  be  laid  up  in  their  heart  and  memory, 
as  in  a  napkin,  but  they  must  give  an  account  what  experi- 
ence they  have  gained  thereby,  and  thus  the  diligent  hand 
should  make  rich. 

3.  Whatever  be  the  different  sizes,  and  degrees  of  ex- 
perience among  the  saints,  according  to  their  growth 
and  age  in  Christ,  yet  it  is  certain  that  the  meanest 
who  have  interest  in  the  promises,  and  did  ever  em- 
brace them  in  earnest,  and  put  them  to  trial,  must  know 
something  of  the  performance  of  the  same  in  their  own  case ; 
for  the  Lord  doth  not  suffer  his  work  in  his  people  to  want 
a  seal. 

4.  The  godly's  experience  hereof,  is  then  much  made 
out,  when  they  are  much  in  observation  ;  and  we  know 
little  of  the  truth  and  performance  of  the  promises,  because 
we  are  not  more  habitually  in  a  frame  to  observe.  Thus 
he  goeth  by,  and  we  perceive  not ;  but  they  never  wanted 
continuations,  who  were  seriously  seeking  to  be  confirmed 
in  the  truth  of  the  word. 

5.  The  special  mercies  and  providences  of  a  christian 
life,  are  a  certain  return  of  the  promise,  and  in  that  way  do 
meet  them,  as  the  proper  channel  of  their  conveyance  ;  for 
they  are  the  sure  mercies  of  the  covenant :  and  how  refresh- 
ful is  it,  that  all  the  several  cases  of  the  saints,  their  mean- 
est as  well  as  their  greatest  necessities,  and  their  outgate  or 
relief  are  comprehended  in  the  word,  and  under  some 
promise,  and  were  all  foreseen  in  his  everlasting  view,  who 
hath  so  marvellously  suited  the  same  to  all  that  his  people 
stand  in  need  of,  as  if  it  had  been  directed  to  such  and  such 
a  christian  only. 

6.  This  helpeth  to  make  the  mercies  of  the  godly  man  to 
have  a  peculiar  and  sweet  relish,  and  to  be  some  way  twice 
his  mercy,  when  he  gets  them  in  so  immediate  a  way  reach- 
ed to  him  as  it  were  out  of  the  promise,  and  as  an  observa- 
ble return  from  heaven  ;  when  thus  the  Lord  sealeth  his 
word  to  him  by  his  work,  and  the  way  of  the  word  he  find- 
eth  hath  been  the  way  of  his  comfortable  relief ;  that  when 
he  hath  had  no  other  escape,  but  to  turn  in  to  the  promise, 
and  to  cast  himself  upon  it,  he  gained  this  experience,  he 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  63 

trusted  in  God,  and  was  helped  ;  and  can  give  in  this  testi- 
mony of  him,  that  he  hath  both  spoken  it,  and  himself  also 
hath  done  it,  according  to  his  word. 

7.  It  is  not  any  extraordinary  thing,  we  here  understand, 
by  the  christian  man's  experience  oi  the  truth  of  the  prom- 
ises ;  it  is  not  a  rapture  or  revelation,  or  such  as  some  of 
the  saints  have  upon  some  singular  and  special  account 
had  ;  for  we  have  not  any  promise  for  these  things  ;  but 
it  is  something  well  grounded  upon  the  word,  which  con- 
stantly holdeth  in  the  Lord's  ordinary  way  of  procedure 
with  his  people,  according  to  the  tenor  of  the  covenant.  For 
his  word  doth  good  to  them  that  walk  uprightly  ;  and  doth 
certainly  take  place  in  the  experience  of  every  serious  and 
diligent  cliristian. 

8.  This  is  not  the  testimony  of  a  few,  but  the  record  of 
all  the  saints  since  the  beginning,  whose  experience  doth 
all  most  harmoniously  agree,  and  bear  one  witness,  that  he 
is  faithful  who  hath  promised  ;  and  it  is  not  that  which  a 
christian  hath  found  once  or  twice  in  his  life,  but  the  daily 
food  of  such  as  live  by  faith. 

9.  This  doth  put  a  strong  obligation  on  the  godly  man  to 
the  word,  for  the  time  to  come  ;  for  these  who  have  tried  it 
often,  may  with  much  confidence  trust  it  in  the  day  of  their 
strait. 

10.  The  experience  which  the  godly  hath  of  the  real  per- 
formance of  the  promises,  is  a  most  convincing  evidence  of 
his  state  in  Christ.  It  is  the  earnest  and  pledge  of  the  in- 
heritance, and  full  accomplishment  of  that  which  remain- 
eth  ;  that  the  Lord  will  perfect  what  concerneth  him,  who 
hath  been  his  help  hitherto  ;  and  will  be  his  exceeding  great 
reward  in  the  end,  who  hath  made  him  find  so  much  of  the 
gain  of  godliness  here  by  the  way. 

Now  having  premised  these  things,  I  shall  here  instance 
some  particular  promises,  wherein  the  christian's  most 
usual  trade  and  commerce  doth  lie,  and  to  which  they  givo 
m  their  seal  and  witness.  I  confess,  if  all  these  proofs  which 
the  saints  have  had,  of  the  fulfilling  of  the  promises,  could 
be  gathered  together,  we  might  make  use  of  that  divine 
hyperbole,  The  world  could  not  contain  the  books  that  sfo&ld 
be  written  thereof  O  what  an  admirable  volume,  what  an 
excellent  commentary  and  copy  should  this  be  of  the  serin, 
ture,  to  see  it  thus  turned  over  into  the  experience  of  every 
christian!  It  would  be  some  way  as  easy  to  number  the 
drops  of  rain  and  dew  since  the  creation,  as  to  reckon  aU 
these  precious  drops  and  emanations  of  love,  these  sensible 
returns  and  accomplishments  of  the  promise,  which  they 
Dave  had  in  their  experience.    I  trulv  think,  it  could  hardlr 


6£  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scriptnrel 

be  believed,  though  it  were  told,  what  some  of  the  godly 
here  have  found  in  the  way  of  the  word  ;  but  it  is  sufficient, 
to  answer  the  design  of  this  work,  to  shew  that  there  is  a. 
sensible  demonstration  and  performance  of  scripture  prom- 
ises, concerning  which  the  experience  of  the  saints  in  all 
ages  doth  agree  ;  that  by  many  confirmations  the  Lord 
hath  oft  sealed  the  truth  thereof  to  their  souls. 

There  are  ten  special  promises,  held  forth  to  the  godly  in 
the  word,  which  I  shall  here  instance,  and  therewith  hold 
forth  what  a  clear  testimony  their  experience  can  give,  of 
the  undoubted  truth  and  accomplishment  of  the  same. 

FIRST  instance,  is  that  promise  given  to  believing  ;  to 
such  who  credit  the  naked  word,  when  there  is  no  probable 
appearance  of  its  fulfilling,  and  thus  give  God  the  glory  of 
his  faithfulness ;  which  we  have  expressly  held  out,  1  Chr. 
xx  20.  Psal.  cxii.  7,  8.  Job.  i.  50. 

To  clear  the  accomplishment  of  this  promise,  I  shall  but 
appeal  to  that  testimony  the  saints  in  all  ages  have  left  there- 
of;  yea,  to  the  present  experience  of  the  godly  at  this  day, 
if  they  have  not  certainly  found  it  so. 

1.  That  when  in  a  particular  they  have  trusted  God 
therewith,  and  got  their  spirit  quiet  in  a  recumbency  on 
him,  he  hath  dealt  with  them  according  to  his  word  ;  yea, 
if  then  from  clear  convincing  returns  of  the  promise,  they 
have  not  been  made  to  say,  it  did  never  repent  them,  that 
they  gave  more  credit  to  the  testimony  of  God,  than  of  their 
own  hearts. 

2.  That  they  have  not  found  a  more  sweet  and  observa- 
ble issue,  than  when  their  help  lay  most  immediately  on 
the  word  alone  ;  never  a  more  comfortable  relief  than  when 
least  of  sense  and  most  of  faith  was  in  carrying  them  through, 
when  little  of  the  creature  and  much  of  God  appeared  in 
their  mercy,  and  when  they  were  at  the  lowest,  having  no 
way  of  escape  but  to  throw  themselves  on  the  promise,  they 
have  then  had  the  best  retreat,  yea,  their  supply  as  sensibly 
felt,  as  their  need  and  burden  had  formerly  been. 

3.  That  their  greatest  difficulties  and  shakings  about 
the  promise,  have  helped  to  their  further  confirming  and 
establishment  :  so  as  they  can  say,  the  Lord's  way,  by  per- 
plexing them  first,  yea,  to  their  sense  losing  their  hold, 
hath  helped  to  fasten  it  better  ;  and  that  which  for  the  time 
did  speak  their  case  most  helpless,  hath  made  way  for  his 
more  eminent  appearance  and  manifesting  of  himself. 

4.  That  their  greatest  venture,  and  giving  mostout, 
hath  usually  had  the  richest  income  ;  the  most  eminent 
experiences  of  their  life  have  followed  the  most  adventur- 
ous acts  of  their  fliith  ;  yea,  upon  an  after  reckoning  they 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  65 

have  oft  found,  that  their  adventuring  of  life,  estate,  and 
credit  on  the  promise  of  God,  even  in  these  things,  hath 
very  observably  been  their  advantage. 

5.  That  where  they  have  most  been  a  friend  to  their 
faith,  there  hath  faith  also  been  most  a  friend  to  them ;  in 
their  standing  to  the  credit  of  the  promise,  nor  dismayed  by 
the  greatest  objections  and  false  reports  raised  thereof,  they 
have  found  a  very  evident  mark  of  God's  respect  to  the 
same,  causing  them  to  see^  that  he  will  honour  such  who 
thus  honour  him.  And  it  is  indeed  worthy  of  a  remark, 
what  we  have  of  Caleb  upon  record,  that  he  took  part  with 
the  promise  of  God  against  that  discouraging  report  which 
then  was  raised  of  the  Anakims,  and  their  walled  cities  ; 
and  therefore  the  inheritance  of  the  children  of  Anak  was 
given  to  Caleb  and  his  sons,  in  their  lot  from  the  Lord. 

6.  That  believing  doth  always  make  way  for  sense,  and 
in  their  closing  with  the  naked  word  of  promises,  they 
have  not  wanted  the  seal  of  the  Spirit  of  promise;  but 
have  found  a  sweet  calm,  their  burden  sensibly  eased, 
when  once  they  got  it  laid  over  on  the  word,  which 
they  can  say  hath  been  their  first  resting  place,  like  the 
very  fixing  of  the  motion  of  the  needle  towards  its  right 
point,  when  their  spirit  had  been  restless,  and  in  greatest 
agitation. 

7.  That  the  greatest  disappointments,  which  their  hope 
in  the  word  seemed  to  have,  they  have  found  afterwards 
most  to  their  advantage  ;  when  their  returns  have  not  only 
been  according  to  their  faith,  but  have  often  exceeded 
their  adventure,  and  been  far  beyond  what  they  believed  ; 
yea,  that  from  frequent  experience  they  may  say,  the  issue 
of  trusting  the  word,  how  long  soever  they  thought  it  de- 
ferred, yet  came  always  in  season,  was  never  too  late  and 
out  of  time. 

8.  That  this  did  never  occasion  bitter  reflections,  or 
was  their  reproach  before  the  world,  that  they  trusted  God 
in  a  day  of  strait  and  were  not  helped  ;  but  this  testimony 
have  all  such  left,  who  have  most  credited  it  in  a  dismal 
hour,  that  none  should  fear  after  them  to  hazard  upon  such 
a  hand,  and  venture  on  the  promise  ;  for  their  faith  hath 
oft  carried  them  well  and  comfortably  through,  where  both 
sense  and  reason  have  been  ready  to  sink. 

SECOND  instance,  Whereby  we  may  see  the  per- 
formance of  the  promise  in  christian  experience,  is  this, 
That  God  truly  heareth  prayer  ;  is  near  unto  his  people  in 
what  they  call  upon  him  for,  agreeable  to  his  word,  and 
will  answer  their  desires  ;  we  have  this  promise  most 
express.    Phil  iv.  6.  Psalm  xxxii.  6.  lxv.  2.  xci.  15. 


66  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture* 

Now  the  accomplishing  of  this  part  of  scripture  is  s0 
very  clear,  that  I  can  attest  the  experience  of  all  the  gene* 
ration  of  the  righteous,  since  the  beginning,  what  frequent 
and  unanswerable  confirmations  they  have  got  of  this 
truth  in  their  christian  walk  ;  so  that  I  am  sure,  no  man 
ever  was  in  earnest  in  the  matter  of  religion,  and  a  stran- 
ger to  this ;  yea,  that  he  was  never  more  certainly  per- 
suaded of  any  thing,  than  of  this,  that  God  doth  hear 
prayer.  O  if  men's  ^  souls  were  but  in  their  souls7  steady 
whose  evening  vvrestlings  and  tears  the  Lord  hath  oft  turn- 
ed into  a  morning  song,  they  would  know  this  is  no  delu- 
sion. I  shall  here  touch  something  of  that  experience, 
which  by  many  proofs  the  saints  can  give,  as  a  witness  to 
this  promise. 

1.  That  when  they  have  oft  with  Hannah  gone  in  before 
the  Lord  in  the  bitterness  of  their  spirit,  they  have  been 
made  to  return  with  a  sensible  and  marvellous  change  in 
their  case  ;  yea,  when  in  going  about  prayer,  they  have 
been  put  to  wrestle  with  much  distemper  and  deadness, 
they  have  oft  seen  the  wind  discernibly  change,  and  there- 
with their  spirits  lightened  from  under  that  burden,  an 
observable  calm  and  serenity  following  much  inward  per- 
turbation ;  yea,  they  can  say,  that  they  have  found  their 
hearts  thawed,  and  put  in  a  flush  of  tenderness,  upon  the 
back  of  a  most  sensible  restraint. 

2.  That  access  and  liberty  to  pour  forth  their  souls  to 
God,  when  he  hath  filled  their  mouth^  with  arguments, 
and  enabled  them  both  to  wrestle  and  wait,  they  have  found 
a  favourable  crisis,  and  begun  relief,  yea,  the  very  turn  of 
a  sad  case,  which  they  have  got  from  the  Lord,  as  the 
pledge  of  a  further  answer,  and  that  when  he  thus  prepaid 
eth  the  heart,  he  doth  cause  his  ear  to  hear, 

S.  That  when  they  have  been  under  a  most  dark  cloud, 
they  have  found  their  sky#  clear,  have  got  a^ very  sensible 
taste  of  God's  acceptation  in  prayer,  and  of  his  taking  their 
suit  oft*  their  hand,  even  while  the  matter  was  still  in  de- 
pendence before  him  ;  yea,  that  they  have  oft  had  such  a 
satisfying  impression  of  God's  mind,  and  persuasion  of 
his  answering  their  desire,  as  hath  helped  them  cheerfully 
to  wait,  yea,  sometimes  to  sing  the  triumph  before  the 
victory. 

4.  That  when  they  had  been  much  in  prayer,  they  must 
also  say,  it  hath  been  the  time  wherein  their  spirit  hath 
flourished,  was  most  lively ;  yea,  then  they  had  their  best 
days ;  then  the  candle  of  the  Lord  shined  upon  their  paths, 
and  his  dew  laij  all  night  upon  their  branches.  But  they 
have  found  there  is  an  evident  and  proportionable  abate- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  67 

jnent  of  .their  spiritual  life  and  encouragement  in  God,  ac* 
cording  to  their  wearing  out  in  the  exercise  of  this  duty. 

5.  They  have  many  times  found,  that  when  there  was 
nothing  left  them,  but  to  turn  in  to  God,  and  they  knew  of 
no  other  way  to  come  through,  but  to  pray  and  look  up, 
they  never  found  a  more  sweet  and  seasonable  relief;  so 
that  most  observable  times  of  prayer  have  been  also  the 
most  observable  times  of  their  experience  ;  and  they  can 
say  from  many  proofs,  it  is  no  hopeless  business,  which  is 
put  over  upon  God  by  pra37er,  though  there  be  small  out- 
ward  appearance. 

6.  That  it  is  not  in  vain  to  follow  out  a  suit  before  the 
throne,  but  access  and  interest  in  heaven,  is  as  sure  a 
way  to  come  speed  (which  they  know  well)  as  greatest 
interest  upon  earth  ;  having  so  evidently  found,  while 
many  seek  the  rider 's  favour,  that  the  determination  of 
every  thing  is  from  the  Lord. 

7.  That  prayer,  with  quiet  waiting  in  the  use  of  means, 
getteth  comfortably  through,  where  overcaring  and  carnal 
policy,  in  the  use  of  all  other  shifts,  hath  been  forced  to 
stick. 

p  8.  They  know  by  experience,  that  as  there  are  judicial 
times,  whereinan  inhibition,  as  it  were,  is  laid  on  them 
from  the  Lord,  in  their  wrestling,  yea,  and  a  sere  restraint 
on  their  spirits,  which  hath  been  very  sensible,  so  also  they 
have  found  times  of  more  easy  access,  and  abundant  lib^ 
erty,  a  spirit  of  prayer  let  forth,  before  some  special  mercy 
and  deliverance  to  the  church,  whereby  they  could  in  some 
measure  discern  its  near  approach. 

9.  That  on  the  back  cf  some  solemn  address  and  appli- 
cation to  God  by  prayer  and  fasting  in  a  day  of  strait,  they 
have  oft  seen  cause  even  from  that  day  and  upward  to  date 
a  remarkable  return  and  deliverance,  in  which  even  com- 
mon observers  might  discern  what  an  evident  answer  the 
church's  intercession  with  God  in  times  of  extremity- 
hath  had. 

10.  I  may  add,  the  saints  know  this  so  well  by  expert 
ence,  that  surely  God  heareth  prayer,  even  in  such  and 
such  a  particular,  that  they  can  with  miich  confidence  ad- 
venture, and  make  an  errand  of  the  meanest,  as  well  as 
their  greatest  concernments  to  him  ;  having  so  oft  tried, 
and  found  that  ^  seriousness  and  sincerity  in  address  to 
God  was  never  in  vain,  but  whatever  be  the  times,  there- 
in this  promise  taketh  place,  your  heart  shall  live,  that  seek 
God. 

THIRD  instance ',  Is  the  promise  of  the  Spirit,  and 
pouring  out  of  the  same  ;  which  we  have  clear  in  the 


€8  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

word,  Isa.  lix.  21.  Job.  xiv.  16.  Lukexxiv.  49.    Rom. 
viii.  16,  26. 

_  The  accomplishment  of  which  is  so  manifest,  such  a  sen- 
sible demonstration  thereof  in  the  experience  of  the  saints, 
that  I  am  sure  this  can  no  more  be  denied,  than  those  who 
are  warmed  with  the  heat  of  the  sun,  can  deny  their  sense 
and  feeling,  that  the  sun  hath  such  an  influence  :  and  doth 
not  the  christian's  spiritual  walk,  bear  as  convincing  a  wit- 
ness to  the  fulfilling  of  this  promise,  as  any  living  man  by 
walking  in  the  way  sheweth  that  he  hath  a  soul  and  princi- 
ple of  life  within  him.  Now  to  demonstrate  this  a  little, 
I  would  but  touch  some  of  the  ordinary  experiences  of  the 
saints  therein,  which  they  do  testify,  and  by  clear  undeni- 
able evidences  know  to  be  no  delusion. 

1.  That  which  causeth  so  real  a  change  upon  them, 
which  maketh  them  alive  to  God,  who  once  were  dead, 
creating  them,  as  it  were  of  new,  that  which  bringeth a 
clod  of  earth  so  near  heaven,  raiseth  so  far  above  them- 
selves to  a  delightful  converse  with  things  not  seen,  that 
while  their  place  and  abode  is  here,  their  company  and  fel- 
lowship is  above ;  that  which  maketh  all  things  new  to 
them,  and  doth  so  far  change  their  nature  and  inclination, 
as  causeth  them  to  find  more  sweetness  in  a  spiritual 
life,  than  in  the  pleasures  of  sin,  yea,  reconcileth  them  with 
the  law,  and  exercises  of  a  christian,  where  once  there  was 
such  contrariety.  Oh  !  is  not  this  a  real  effect  of  the  Spir- 
it, and  no  imaginary  thing  ! 

2.  That  whereof  they  were  altogether  ignorant,  when 
they  were  strangers  to  God,  and  knew  not  if  there  iverea 
Holy  Ghost,  but  by  report,  now  since  their  being  born 
again  they  find  themselves  entered  in  another  world, 
brought  out  of  darkness  unto  a  marvellous  light,  and  of  this 
are  sure,  that  once  they  were  blind,  but  now  they  see,  i$ 
not  this  a  proof  of  the  truth  of  this  promise  ? 

3.  That  which  maketh  them  see  more  of  God  in  his 
ivor d,  and  -works,  at  one  time  than  at  another  ;  whence  is 
this  difference  and  inequality,  the  scriptures  are  at  onetime 
the  great  things  of  God's  law,  which  are  at  another  time, 
but  common  things  to  them  !  the  object  is  the  same^  but 
O!  what  different  manifestation  thereof!  whence  is  it 
that  such  a  light  springe th  up  in  the  word,  that  openeth  up 
this  deep,  and  maketh  them  see  the  wonders  of  his  law,  and 
within  a  little  time  nothing  but  dark  night  ;  do  not  the 
saints  know  this  well,  and  that  it  is  no  delusion  ? 

4.  That  which  maketh  such  sensible  liberty  in  their 
soul,  and  confidence  in  their  approach  to  God,  after  sore 
bondage  and  fear  ;  which  raiseth  them  often  so  far  above 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  69 

their  ordinary  frame,  as  they  are  not  only  quickened  and 
refreshed  themselves,  but  do  observably  warm  others.  O 
how  piercing,  and  savoury  are  their  words,  which  shew 
what  difference  there  is  oft,  betwixt  a  christian,  and  him- 
self, betwixt  a  dead  exercise  of  a  gift  which  reacheththe 
ear,  and  that  which  melteth  the  heart,  and  doth  even  reach 
bystanders,  with  a  pleasant  perfume  ! 

5.  That  which  maketh  such  a  sudden  change  in  their 
case  under  ordinances  ;  that  their  heart,  that  died  within 
them  as  a  stone,  ere  they  were  aware  hath  got  life,  and 
taken  fire  with  a  word:  yea,  hath  been  poured  out  within 
them  so  as  their  Beloved's  voice  hath  had  another  sound  ! 
O  then  they  think  not  the  time  long,  the  word  is  as  the 
honey  from  the  comb,  so  as  they  have  oft  wished  a  perpet- 
ual arrest  upon  their  spirit  in  such  a  condition,  that  none 
may  stir  up  their  Beloved  until  he  please  /  Can  that  be  any 
delusion  ? 

6.  That  which  bringeth  in  promises  seasonably  into 
their  mind  in  the  day  of  their  strait,  and  causeth  the  word 
to  come  in  so  suitably  to  their  present  case,  with  such  a 
satisfying  impression  of  the  same,  as  doth  give  most  sensi- 
ble and  present  ease. 

7.  That  which  so  clearly  by  the  word  discovereth  to 
men  their  own  heart,  and  doth  search  them  out  in  their 
most  close  and  retired  thoughts,  that  they  have  been  oft 
made  to  wonder,  how  the  word  is  upon  all  their  secrets  ; 
is  not  this  the  candle  of  the  Lord  ? 

8.  That  which  doth  demonstrate  their  state  and  being 
in  Christ ,  by  an  argument  which  is  beyond  all  words K  and 
doth  by  power  in  an  irresistible  way  answer  all  objections, 
and  turn  the  most  fro  ward  case  into  a  blessed  calm,  and 
hath  made  a  simple  word  more  effectual  in  a  moment,  than 
most  persuasive  arguments  could  be. 

9.  That  which  maketh  such  abundantly  spring  up  in 
the  heart,  when  there  is  no  visible  grounds  for  the  same, 
like  the  dry  bone  gushing  out  water,  must  surely  be  some 
supernatural  and  excellent  power,  that  cannot  only  bring 
it  out  of  nothing,  but  out  of  contraries. 

10.  That  which  giveth  them  so  sensible  a  taste  of  the 
powers  of  the  world  to  come,  such  a  ravishing  glance  of  the 
inheritance,  that  they  could  hardly  sometime  forbear  to 
rise  atmidnight  and  sing  for  joy  in  the  hope  therecf ;  and 
hath  given  them  such  a  discovery  of  God  at  some  special 
times,  as  hath  made  them  judge  that  all  they  ever  knew  of 
him  before,  was  but  by  the  hearing  of  the  ear. 

11.  That  which  is  so  discernible  and  sensibly  felt  at  the 
present  time,  that  Christ's  return  to  the  soul,  and  the  effu- 


70  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture* 

sion  of  the  Spirit,  hath  been  as  evident  oft  to  the  saints,  as 
to  that  martyr  who  was  forced  to  cry  out  at  the  stake,  He 
is  come,  he  is  come  f  and  hath  been  so  sweet  when  enjoyed, 
that  the  remembrance  of  some  of  these  times  hath  been 
very  pleasant  and  refreshing  ;  yea,  this  is  such  a  thing  as 
most  observably  occurs  to  the  godly  man  in  the  way  of  his 
duty,  according  to  the  word. 

12.  That  is  no  delusion,  the  withdrawing  whereof  is 
so  sensible  to  them,  as  it  maketh  their  duty  wherein  they 
have  had  delight,  become  their  burden  ;  when  they  are  put 
to  row  with  oars,  the  wind  being  gone  ;  and  maketh  it 
like  night  to  the  soul,  when  the  sun  is  gone  down  :  and 
sad  experience  hath  oft  shewed  them,  how  the  overcloud- 
ing of  their  soul,  the  withdrawing  of  the  Spirit,  the  com- 
forter, doth  observably  follow  a  neglect  of  their  duty,  and 
yielding  to  any  known  sin,  by  which  it  is  grieved. 

FOURTH  instance,  Is  that  promise  for  direction,  which 
God  hath  given  his  people  in  the  word  ;  that  he  will  guide 
them  with  his  counsel,  will  order  and  direct  their  steps,  who 
do  commit  their  way  to  him,  and  teach  them  the  way  that 
they  shall  choose.  Psalm  xxxvii.  5.  xxv.  9,  14. 
Ixxiv.  24. 

The  fulfilling  of  which  hath  been  so  manifest  to  those 
who  ever  made  earnest  of  acknowledging  God  in  their 
ways,  and  committing  the  conduct  thereof  to  him,  that  I 
shall  but  attest  their  experience,  if  they  have  not  this  tes- 
timony to  give. 

L  That  to  trust  God  with  their  case,  and  give  him  the 
guiding  of  their  way,  hath  carried  them  much  more  easily 
through  a  plunging  case,  than  overcaring  anxiety  ;  yea, 
the  Lord's  directing  their  steps,  and  making  things  suc- 
cessful, when  they  have  committed  the  same  to  him,  hath 
been  often  as  sensible  to  them,  as  their  strait  and  difficulty 
was. 

2.  That  the  way  of  the  -own/ hath  been  the  best  expedi- 
ent for  carrying  them  safe  and  comfortably  through  ;  and 
that  they  never  repented,  that  they  did  more  consult  their 
duty,  than  inclination,  when  they  were  at  a  stand  about  a 
particular,  and  did  not  debate  the  command,  even  while 
there  seemed  a  lion  in  the  way. 

3.  That  they  were  never  left  without  counsel  and  direc- 
tion, when  their  eye  was  single,  and  serious  about  it ;  and 
that  it  was  not  so  much  want  of  light,  as  of  an  heart  to 
close  therewith,  that  made  their  way  oft  so  dark  ;  but 
when  they  subjected  themselves  to  God's  mind,  they 
found,  that  such  who  follow  him,  shall  not  walk  in  dark* 
ness. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  71 

4.  That  light  and  counsel  doth  meet  men  in  following 
the  command,  and  the  practice  of  known  duty,  hath  help- 
ed them  to  know  more  their  duty  ;  and  that  light  did  most 
abound,  when  it  was  most  their  serious  study  to  follow  the 
same. 

5.  They  found,  it  was  never  in  vain,  to  inquire  after 
God's  mind  by  prayer,  and  also  in  the  temple  to  make  a 
reference  of  a  particular  to  him,  when  it  was  too  hard  for 
them ;  but  have  often  seen  the  word  evidently  directed  to 
such  and  such  a  case,  as  if  they  had  got  a  return  from 
heaven  by  an  audible  voice. 

6.  They  also  know,  that  God's  following  in  light  with  a 
powerful  impression,  his  teaching  the  reins,  and  instruct- 
ing  with  a  strong  hand  is  no  delusion,  but  the  sure  and 
well  grounded  experience  of  most  solid  christians  in  all 
ages  ;  yea,  most  discernible  from  any  false  impulse  ;  and 
that  some  special  piece  of  work  and  service,  which  God 
hath  laid  in  their  way,  wants  not  usually  some  special  call, 
backed  with  such  light  and  authority,  as  in  an  irresistible 
way  can  answer  all  objections,  to  make  them  go  hound  in 
the  Spirit,  about  such  a  duty. 

7.  How  God's  special  directing  hand  hath  been  oft 
very  observable,  not  only  in  preventing  and  crossing  their 
way,  to  withdraw  them  by  some  sharp  dispensation,  from 
their  purpose  ;  but  sensibly  overpowering  them,  so  that 
they  have  been  plucked  as  it  were  back,  from  unavoidable 
hazard,  that  they  could  not  find  their  paths. 

8.  I  shall  add,  they  have  oft  observably  found,  how  easy 
their  way  was  made  to  them  when  the  Lord  cloth  counte- 
nance and  prosper  the  same  :  what  sweet  concurrence  of 
providences  ;  how  then  difficulties  have  most  sensibly 
been  taken  out  of  the  way,  yea,  wind  and  tide  going  along 
with  them,  in  such  a  manner,  that  they  have  been  forced 
to  see  and  confess  a  divine  hand  therein. 

FIFTH  instance,  Is  the  promise  of  pardon,  and  forgive- 
ness which  God  hath  given  his  people  in  the  word  :  that 
for  his  name's  sake  he  will  blot- put  their  iniquity,  and  re- 
member their  sin  no  more  ;  yea,  is  ready  to  pardon  ;  which 
is  expressly  held  forth,  to  thnse  who  are  truly  humbkd. 
Mic.  vii.  18,  Jer.  xxxi.  34,  Isa.  xliii.  25. 

Now  that  there  is  a  real  accomplishment  of  this,  I  am 
sure,  the  experience  of  the  saints  can  in  all  ages  clearly 
witness  ;  what  joy  and  peace  this  hath  occaiioned,  what  a 
sensible  demonstration  and  solemn  confirmations  they  have 
had  of  this  promise,  so  as  their  very  bones  might  sing  ; 
Who  is  like  unto  thee,  0  Lcrd  !  It  is  true,  real  pardon  doth 
Rot  always  infer  the  sciwbl;  feeling  thereof;  and  when' sin 


72  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

is  remitted  in  heaven,  there  is  not  always  a  declaration  of  it 
in  the  conscience.  But  it  is  also  sure,  that  this  is  sensibly 
elt,  and  that  it  is  tried  by  all,  even  all  the  generation  of  the 
righteous,  to  have  had  as  powerful  an  operation  on  a  disqui- 
eted troubled  soul,  as  ever  wine  or  the  choicest  cordial 
could  have  on  the  sick,  or  faint.  O  !  if  those  who  question 
this,  were  in  their  case,  to  whom  God  speaketh  peace  after 
a  storm,  they  would  know  how  real  and  certain  that  is  !  I 
would  offer  the  christians  witness  to  this  promise,  from 
many,  many  experiments,  by  which  the  Lord  hath  sealed 
it  to  their  soul,  whereby  they  know  assuredly  it  is  no  fancy 
or  delusion. 

1.  How  this  hath  as  sensible  a  connection  with  the  serious 
exercise  of  contrition  and  repentance,  in  their  experience, 
as  it  certainly  hath  in  the  word  and  promise  ;  while  they 
find,  that  in  silence  and  keeping  up  their  case  from  God, 
their  bones  have  been  troubled,  their  spirit  in  a  restless  and 
disquieted  condition,  until  once  they  made  an  address,  and 
got  their  soul  vented  by  confessing  to  the  Lord,  which  was 
then  like  a  kindly  turn  and  cool  of  a  fever. 

2.  They  know  it  is  no  delusion,  that  is  found  so  certain 
a  cure  to  a  wounded  spirit,  under  the  sense  of  sin ;  a  wound 
which  the  world  and  all  its  diversions  could  never  heal  j 
whose  pain  and  grief  no  music  can  allay  (a  drop  of  divine 
displeasure  being  enough  to  turn  all  their  pleasures  into 
wormwood  and  gall)  but,  O  !  a  taste  of  this  unspeakable 
cordial,  one  warming  look  of  a  reconciled  God,  they  know 
by  experience,  can  give  present  ease. 

3.  It  is  no  delusion,  which  they  cannot  command ;  no 
more  than  the  sun  to  shine  when  overclouded,  or  the  wind  to 
blow  but  when  it  listeth :  which  the  most  persuading  moral 
arguments  can  no  ways  effectuate,  nor  all  their  former  ex- 
perience, nay,  nor  the  letter  of  most  refreshing  promises, 
which  sometines  are  to  them  but  as  the  white  of  an  t%%y 
without  taste,  until  once  the  spirit  breathe  ;  which  not  only 
discovereth  the  ground  of  their  joy  in  the  word,  but  doth 
also  cause  them  to  rejoice  therein,  when  it  shineth  upon 
the  same. 

4.  It  must  be  no  delusion,  which  causeth  so  marvellous 
a  change,  that  after  greatest  disquieting  fears  they  have 
found  most  sensible  manifestations  of  love  ;  >  the  greatest 
flood  on  the  back  of  the  lowest  ebb  in  their  spiritual  condi- 
tion ;  which  oft  hath  forced  them  to  retract,  what  their  fears 
and  jealousies  did  utter  ;  yea,  hath  made  them  inquire  with 
wonder,  whence  they  are  so  cheerful  today,  who  yester- 
night were  so  broken  and  crushed  ?  whence  their  spirit 
should  be  in  so  sweet  a  calm,  that  so  lately  was  like  the  rac- 
ing and  troubled  sea  ? 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  73 

5.  That  this  hath  oft  met  them,  as  a  blest  surprisal  and 
unexpected  welcome,  when  they  have  in  a  backsliding  case 
come  in  to  God,  they  certainly  know  :  that  when  they 
knew  not  how  to  adventure,  and  at  what  end  of  their  ravel- 
ed condition  to  begin,  accounts  having  run  long  over  ;  yet 
on  their  very  first  address,  have  got  a  sweet  disappointment 
to  their  fears,  been  helped  to  their  feet,  yea,  sometimes 
have  had  as  it  were  the  fatted  c^//' killed,  to  make  merry 
with  their  friends, 

6.  That  which  hath  an  audible  voice  within,  so  strong 
an  impression  upon  the  soul,  which  carrieth  with  it  such  a 
clear  satisfying  discovery  of  God's  heart  and  love,  is  surely 
no  delusion  ;  while  the  intimation  of  that  one  truth,  Tour 
sins  are  forgiven,  or  any  other  word  of  promise  for  that 
end,  they  have  found  to  be  an  argument  beyond  words, 
which  they  could  not  resist,  but  for  the  time  have  been  as 
sure,  they  see  and  feel  this,  as  that  they  live  ;  yea,  can  no 
more  now  call  it  in  question,  than  formerly  they  could  get 
it  believed.  ^ 

7.  That  is  no  delusion,  which  causeth  them  with  another 
kind  of  freedom  to  approach  to  God  ;  maketh  them  know, 
there  is  a  Spirit  of  adoption,  which  sets  the  soul  at  liberty 
from  the  sore  bondage  and  thraldom,  under  which  their 
former  backsliding  had  put  them  ;  y^a,  a  thing  not  only 
sensibly  felt  by  themselves,  but  may  be  discerned  by  oth- 
ers, while  they  cannot  smother  the  joy  of  their  heart,  or 
hide  in  their  countenance  such  a  change  of  their  condition, 
that  truly  God  hath  dealt  comfortably  with  them. 

8.  Hath  not  this  die  saints  in  all  ages  witnessed,  even  a 
joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory,  which  though  but  of 
short  continuance,  yet  for  the  present  so  strong,  as  hath 
ravished  their  soul  with  the  hope  of  the  inheritance  above, 
and  clear  view  of  their  interest  in  it ;  yea,  sometimes  made 
them  sing  for  joy,  in  expectation  of  that  blessed  day  !  But, 
O  !  this  is  better  felt  than  expressed. 

9.  And  in  a  word,'  can  that  be  a  delusion,  that  hath  oft 
turned  the  poor  man's  hell  into  a  heaven  ;  which  meets  the 
christian  in  the  way  of  his  duty,  and  the  work  doth  so  ex- 
actly aaswer  the  promise  ;  most  sensibly  felt  after  greatest 
shakings  of  the  conscience  by  the  law  ;  and  can  make  a 
sad  outward  lot,  so  very  sweet  and  pleasant ;  cause  them 
to  triumph  over  the  wrath  of  men,  to  sing  in  a  dungeon, 
to  abound  and  have  all  things  under  greatest  wants,  look 
grim  death  cheerfully  in  the  face  in  its  most  dreadful  as- 
pect ;  yea,  doth  make  so  great  and  visible  a  difference  be- 
twixt the  christian  and  himself! 

X 


7+ 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 


SIXTH  instance,  Is  that  promise  of  encouragement, 
and  support  wider  the  cross  :  which  is  expressly  held  forth 
in  the  word,  that  the  Lord  will  own  his  people,  bear  their 
charges,  and  be  with  them  in  trouble,  in  the  day  of  their 
suffering  for  his  truth ;  yea,  will  bind  up  the  broken  En 
heart,  and  heal  their  wounds.  Psal.  xci.  15,  Isa.  xliii,  2, 
Cap.  xli.  17,  and  xlix.^  14,  Psal.  ix.  9,  Isa.  li.  12. 

Now  that  this  promise^  is  a  truth,  and  hath  a  certain  ac- 
complishment, the  experience  of  the  saints  in  all  ages  will 
witness  :  and  we  know  their  testimony  is  true.  What  at 
solemn  times  of  God's  presence  they  have  had  in  a  barren 
wilderness,  how  great  a  cloud  of  witnesses  doth  seal  this, 
and  give  their  testimony  to  the  cross  of  Christ  f  Of  which 
we  may  say,  the  feme  and  sweet  savour  hath  gone  forth, 
and  spread  abroad  through  the  church  \  the  fathers  have 
told  it  to  the  children,  and  one  generation  to  another  :  but 
how  little  a  part  thereof  can  be  expressed  I  I  think  it  would 
be  a  marvellous  record,  if  the  suffering  and  prison  experi- 
ments of  the  saints  were  particularly  set  down,  what  they 
have  found  under  the  cross.  But  it  is  well,  we  know  this 
promise  hath  been,  and  this  day  is  evidently  sealed  ;  con- 
cerning which  I  dare  attest  the  experience  of  as  many  as 
did  ever  drink  of  this  blessed  cup,  and  were  counted  wor- 
thy to  suffer  for  the  testimony  of  Christ,  if  this  be  not  a 
faithful  and  true  witness. 

First,  that  they  have  oft:  tastec[  what  communion  with 
God  is,  in  the  secret  duties  of  a  christian,  also  in  the  public 
ordinances,  and  in  a  special  measure,  at  some  more  sol- 
emn times  ;  but,  O  !  never  knew  his  presence  and  com- 
munion with  him  more  sensibly  than  under  the  cross  :  yea, 
have  found  that  the  work  and  service  of  a  suffering  time, 
as  it  is  not  the  ordinary  service  of  every  day,  hath  also  a 
peculiar  and  more  than  ordinary  allowance, 

2.  That  they  never  knew  divine  strength  more  sensibly, 
than  when  they  have  been  most  pressed  above  their  own 
strength  :  that  in  the  day  they  were  cast  on  Gon's  imme- 
diate care,  and  ordinary  means  of  their  help  most  with- 
drawn, they  had  never  less  cause  to  complain,  but  might 
often  say  this  as  their  experience,  they  thirsted  not,  when 
he  led  them  through  the  wilderness  ;  yea,  that  they  have  at 
no  time  of  their  life,  found  their  mercies  more  observably 
attend  them,  nor  more  sweet  and  satisfying,  than  when  by 
prayer  and  believing,  they  were  put  to  dig  the  well,  and 
wait  for  the  rain  coming  down  to  fill  it. 

3.  That  they  never  found  more  true  liberty,  than  in  the 
house  of  bondage  :  more  refreshing  company,  than  amidst 
their  greatest  solitude  ;  while  they  found  Him  near,  whom 
$ates  and  bars  cannot  shut  out :  in  the  day  when  all  things 


The  Fulfilling  ef  the  Scripture.  75 

else-  seemed  to  frown  upon  them,  that  their  midnight  songs 
have  been  sweeter,  than  all  the  prosperity  they  sometimes 
enjoyed  ;  and  that  they  have  oft  proved,  that  the  deeper 
any  are  in  affliction  for  Christ  and  his  truth,  they  are  also 
the  deeper  in  consolation. 

4.  They  must  say,  the  most  satisfying  and  clear  discov- 
eries of  the  word  are  under  searching  and  sharpest  trials  ; 
that  a  sanctified  exercising  affliction,  they  have  found  one 
of  the  best  interpreters  of  the  bible,  and  the  word  then  tp 
be  another  thing,  than  it  is  at  other  times  ;  yea,  even  to 
have  been  that  to  them,  which  they  could  desire  it  to  be,  so 
as  they  are  sure  it  hath  been  shaped  out  and  directed  for 
that  present  plunge  their  soul  was  in. 

5.  That  there  is  a  very  easy  passage  and  dispatch,  be- 
twixt heaven  and  an  oppressed  afflicted  soul,  an  observable 
vent  by  prayer,  and  more  sensible  access  to  God's  face, 
when  other  things  have  most  frowned  ;  yea,  they  can  wit- 
ness from  experience  that  he  stayeth  his  rough  wind  in  the 
day  of  his  east  wind :  that  while  he  shutteth  one  door,  he 
hath  set  another  open  ;  that  when  the  storm  without  hath 
been  very  sharp,  they  have  found  a  sweet  calm  and  sun- 
shine within,  to  make  it  easy  ;  and  that  when  he  layeth  on 
one  sore  trial,  he  will  take  another  off. 

6.  They  can  tell  what  a  sweet  and  comfortable  parting 
they  have  oft  had,  with  some  sharp  trial ;  which  at  the  first 
was  bitter  as  death,  but  in  the  close,  after  sanctified  exer- 
cise under  the  same,  they  have  found  cause  to  leave  it  their 
blessing,  and  confess,  that  the  time  of  greatest  jealousy  and 
fear  upon  their  part  they  have  found  on  God's  part  hath 
been  a  time  of  greatest  kindness  and  love  ;  the  sharpest 
wounds  from  such  an  hand  and  heart  as  his,  have  tended  to 
a  cure  ;  yea,  that  circumstance  and  ingredient  in  the  same 
which  of  all  was  most  bitter  and  grievous,  even  there  they 
have  found  their  relief  and  encouragement  most  remarkable. 

7.  That  the  peculiar  advantage  of  a  sanctified  trial  is  not 
so  well  seen  in  the  present  time,  as  afterwards,  when  the 
case  hath  altered  ;  then  they  found  a  long  and  rough  storm 
recompensed  at  their  landing,  with  a  rich  lading  of  experi- 
ence ;  another  kind  of  discovery  of  God,  his  way,  and 
the  certainty  of  his  word,  than  they  formerly  had  attained  : 
so  as  now  they  can  speak  of  him,  and  the  good  of  the  cross, 
and  adventuring  any  thing  for  Christ,  with  some  greater 
esteem,  on  another  ground,  than  report,  or  an  hearing 
:hereof  by  the  ear. 

8.  I  shall  add  what  hath  been  the  frequent  testimony  of 
those  who  ever  endured  tribulation  for  the  gospel,  that  their 
remembrance  and  after  reckoning  upon  this  account  hath 


76  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

not  been  sad  or  bitter,  when  they  sat  down  and  compared 
their  gain  with  their  loss,  their  supports  and  reliefs  with 
these  days  of  trial,  which  have  gone  over  their  head  :  so 
that  they  would  not  then  exchange  their  experience,  or 
want  what  they  have  found  by  the  cross  ;  no,  not  for  many 
more  days  of  trouble  and  affliction. 

SEVENTH  instance,  is  that  promise  of  the  ivordivhich 
integrity ,  in  an  evil  time  hath  ;  that  it  shall  preserve  their 
steps,  and  be  the  best  means  to  help  those  through,  that 
keep  God's  way,  yea,  even  in  this  life  shall  not  want  some 
witness  of  God's  respect.  Psal.  xviii.  25,  PsaL  cxii.  4, 
JRev.  iii.  10. 

Now  to  hold  forth  the  accomplishment  of  this,  I  may 
with  confidence  appeal  to  the  observation  of  the  saints  in  all 
ages,  who  ever  made  it  their  serious  study  to  keep  their 
garments  clean  in  a  time  of  trial,  if  their  experience  hath 
not  this  testimony  to  give. 

First,  that  though  at  present,  honesty  in  evil  times  hath 
brought  them  in  hazard,  and  with  Joseph  to  a  prison,  yet 
it  hath  brought  them  out  also,  with  observable  advantage  ; 
yea,  however  the  Lord  did  order  their  deliverance,  they 
have  found  this  did  land  them  well,  and  always  bring  them 
to  a  comfortable  harbour. 

2.  That  honesty  and  faithfulness  hath  an  authority  even 
on  the  conscience  of  their  enemies,  and  leaveth  usually  a 
conviction  upon  them  :  Yea,  hath  forced  a  testimony  and 
approbation  from  such  men,  and  they  have  oft  found  bet- 
ter entertainment,  than  those  who  in  a  sinful  way  have 
sought  to  please  them. 

3.  They  have  found  this  integrity  always  the  choicest  ex- 
pedient and  best  policy  in  a  dangerous  time,  which  hath 
observably  met  them,  when  they  had  most  to  do  :  A  thing 
whereof  they  have  reaped  the  fruits  in  the  day  of  their  strait, 
and  times  of  judgment ;  yea,  though  it  hath  occasioned some. 
time  their  sufferings,  yet  it  hath  been  also  their  safety  and 
protection  from  sadder  sufferings . 

4.  That  though  integrity  is  oft  under  a  dark  cloud  of  re- 
proach, yet  it  still  getteth  well  out  from  under  the  same, 
and  hath  shined  usually  more  bright  afterward  :  So  as  they 
have  had  cause  to  observe,  what  unexpected  means  the 
Lord  hath  made  use  of,  for  their  clearing. 

5.  That  while  their  enemies  might  have  (were  it  not  for 
the  preventing  goodness  of  God)  quarrelled  upon  some 
other  ground,  they  have  been  observably  led  to  pursue,  and 
make  them  the  butt  of  their  malice,  for  their  honesty,  and 
that  wherein  they  have  peace  before  God,  and  have  been 
kept  from  hitting  on  the  right  cause. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  77 

6.  They  find  how  unspeakably  sweet  this  is  upon  an  af- 
ter reckoning,  and  in  the  evening  of  their  life,  that  then  they 
reap  a  comfortable  harvest,  of  that  they  have  sown  with 
much  suffering  and  tears.  O  !  then  it  doth  not  repent 
them,  that  integrity  was  their  choice. 

7.  They  have  sometime  found  a  hundred  fold  even  in 
this  life  ;  and  an  observable  gain  in  that,  which  they  have 
been  willing  to  risk  and  hazard  most. 

3.  They  must  also  say,  integrity  was  never  their  ruin  ; 
but  an  escape  was  oft  brought  about  in  a  way  they  could 
not  have  expected  ;  yea,  the  Lord's  shutting  all  other 
doors  upon  them  hath  been,  that  he  might  open  one  him- 
self, like  Ha  gar's  well  springing  up  in  the  wilderness. 

9.  That  in  making  their  aim,  when  they  had  a  "large 
heart  for  God,  they  have  not  then  wanted  an  opportunity 
for  evidencing  the  same  ;  their  encouragement  hath  abound- 
ed with  their  duty  ;  and  they  have  got  much  in,  in  giving 
much  out  for  Christ ;  that  there  was  no  such  jeast  in  the 
world.,  as  they  have  sensibly  found  in  the  testimony  of  a 
good  conscience. 

EIGHTH  instance,'™  that  promise,  which  is  held  forth  to. 
the  christian  in  the  word,  of  strength  and  assistance  to  go 
about  duties.  Is.  xl.  29,  30,  31.  Ps.  xviii,  6,  14.  lxxxiv. 
5.  Ixviii.  28.  m 

To  clear  this,  that  it  hath  an  unquestionable  performance, 
I  attest  the  experience  of  the  generation  of  the  righteous. 
Who  ever  knew  what  it  was  to  serve  the  Lord  in  the  spirit ; 
and  by  many  sensible  confirmations,  have  not  proved  the 
certainty  of  these  things  ? 

First,  that  when  they  have  gone  about  duty  under  much 
dcadness  and  straitness  of  spirit,  they  have  found  a  very 
sensible  enlargement,  and  got  their  bonds  loosed :  which 
surely  they  could  no  more  command,  without  the  concur- 
rence of  divine  help,  and  something  above  nature,  than 
those  \\ho  spread  out  the  sail,  can  command  a  fair  wind, 
when  it  is  cross. 

2.  That  Gon's  help  and  concurrence  was  never  more 
discernibly  carrying  them  through,  and  making  them 
strong,  than  in  the  day,  that  (to  their  own  sense)  they  were 
most  weak,  when  they  have  gone  about  duty  under  great- 
est fears,  and  fainting  in  spirit. 

3.  That  when  they  had  most  confidence  in  themselves, 
and  judged  they  were  at  greatest  advantage  in  their  going 
about  some  duty,  they  have  usually  had  the  saddest  retreat ; 
and  found  that  a  sure  truth,  the  race  is  not  to  the  swift,  nor 
the  battle  to  the  strong. 


78  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

4.  They  know  well  what  an  influence  divine  concurrence 
hath,  not  only  upon  their  inward  frame,  but  also  upon  the 
exercise  of  their  gifts,  yea,  upon  the  most  common  abilities 
of  judgment,  and  memory ;  and  that  there  is  a  most  re- 
markable difference,  betwixt  themselves  at  one  time,  and 
another,  according  to  the  blowing  of  this  wind. 

5.  They  must  also  witness  this  as  their  experience,  they 
found  duty  never  more  easy  to  them,  than  when  they  have 
had  most  to  do,  and  were  kept  most  thronged  and  pressed 
therein  ;  yea,  when  much  work  was  laid  to  their  hand, 
they  then  wanted  not  an  enlarged  allowance  for  the  same. 

6.  That  their  spirits  have  been  fitted  for  duty,  and  car- 
tied  through  difficulties,  where  at  some  other  time  and  in 
another  frame  they  would  have  fainted :  and  thereby  have 
seen,  that  none  needs  to  start  at  any  piece  of  duty,  when 
God  calleth  them  to  it  ;  for  while  difficulties  have  appear- 
ed greatest  at  first,  the  less  they  have  found  them  afterward, 
yea,  the  hardest  piece  of  service  oft  made  most  easy. 

7.  They  find  God  doth  raise  the  spirit  of  his  followers, 
with  a  suitable  elevation  for  their  work,  and  can  fit  them 
for  the  service  of  that  time,  and  other  trials  thereof,  even 
beyond  their  ordinary  reach. 

8.  That  there  is  an  open  door,  and  sensible  assistance, 
when  there  hath  been  work  for  the  gospel  in  such  a  place  ; 
while  on  the  other  hand,  they  have  found  an  inhibition  sen- 
fibly  served  on  them,  the  door  as  it  were  shut,  when  the 
tide  was  gowing  back,  and  the  work  of  the  gospel  at  a  stand 
in  such  a  part.# 

9.  That  it  is  not  greatest  abilities,  which  make  under- 
takings successful ;  it  being  in  vain,  to  rise  up  early,  without 
the  Lord. 

10.  It  hath  oft  been  their  experience ,  that  in  following 
the  way  of  God,  his  candle  did  then  shine  upon  their  paths, 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  was  with  them,  and  sensibly  poured 
out :  the  withdrawing  whereof  hath  been  no  less  discerni- 
ble, while  they  turned  aside  from  him  ;  that  they  have  then 
been  put  to  bear  the  burden  alone,  and  found  difficulty  and 
despondency  of  spirit  at  once  growing  upon  their  hand 

11.  I  may  add,  what  those  who  are  serious  in  religion 
have  oft  tried,  that  there  is  no  such  help  andfurniture  for 
tfoing  about  duties,  as  a  spiritual  frame,  and  nearness  with 
God:  for  then  light,  and  counsel,  inward  freedom,  and 
sweet  composure  of  spirit,  have  brought  most  sensible  ad- 
vantage to  them  :  in  their  greatest,  yea,  and  in  their  most 
common  undertakings,  this  hath  been  very  evident. 

NINTH  instance,  is  that  great  promise,  we  have,  Rom. 
viii.  28.  That  all  things  shall  work  together  for  good  to  them 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture,  79 

who  love  God.  And  Psal.  xxv.  10.  All  the  paths  of  the  Lord 
are  mercy  and  truth,  to  such  as  keep  his  covenant.  I  confess, 
it  is  not  easy  sometimes  to  reconcile  God's  way  and  thispiece 
of  his  word  together  :  those  who  take  only  an  ordinary  pass- 
ing view  of  providence,  cannot  well  judge,  how  such  things, 
wherewith  oft  the  godly  in  their  life  are  exercised,  should 
contribute  to  their  good  and  advantage ;  while  nothing 
would  seem  more  directly  cross  to  the  same.  But  the 
christian  and  wise  observer  can  give  another  account :  they 
know  what  a  sure  truth  this  is,  that  there  is  no  real  jar  be- 
twixt the  promise  and  providence  of  God  in  this  matter  ; 
and  whatever  be  the  present  thoughts,  patient  waiting  hath 
had  cause  to  say  this. 

1.  When  his  way  and  their  thoughts  have  most  differed^ 
in  the  accomplishment  of  his  word  and  bringing  about  their 
mercy,  they  have  found  it  was  to  their  advantage  ;  that  his 
choice  was  always  better  than  theirs  ;  yea,  they  have  been 
oft  made  to  confess,  that  their  saddest  disappointments 
therein  have  tended  to  their  further  benefit. 

2.  That  the  Lord's  denying  them  some  outward  thing, 
which  they  have  most  desired,  they  have  found  (as  after- 
wards hath  appeared)  was  to  grant  them  more  than  their 
desire  ;  he  hath  refused  them  as  it  were  in  an  Ishmael,  that 
he  might  give  them  an  Isaac. 

3.  They  can  oft  say,  they  had  been  undone,  if  the  y 
had  not  been  undone  ;  that  it  was  their  mercy,  the 
Lord  took  such  a  way  to  cast  them  in  a  fewr^tQ. pre- 
vent a  lethargy  ;  and  by  some  sharp  cross  gave  them  a 
wound  in  the  flesh,  to  cure  and  let  out  some  gross  impos- 
tumein  their  soul,  which  would  have  made  their  case 
worse. 

4.^  How  greatest  shakings  have  helped  their  further  es- 
tablishment; so  as  they  were  nevermore  confirmed,  than 
in  that  about  which  they  have  been  most  perplexed.  Yea, 
they  have  also  found  this  the  Lord's  way,  to  cure  their  frc- 
wardness  and  misbelief  by  some  further  addition  to  their 
cross :  that  when  the}"  would  not  believe,  he  hath  caused 
them  to  come  in  upon  a  greater  disadvantage  ;  while  as  a 
small  affliction  hath  made  them  impatient,  a  more  heavy  and 
pressing  trouble  hath  been  their  cure,  and  helped  them  to 
keep  silence  under  God's  hand. 

5.  That  the  growing  of  difficulties  in  their  way,  and 
some  further  pressure  in  the  trial,  they  have  found  was  from 
the  Lord  in  order  to  its  removal,  and  to  the  bringing  forth 
of  some  greater  good  :  and  that  all  visible  grounds  of  con- 
fidence have  been  oft  broken,  but  with  this  advantage  ia 
She  upshot,  that  their  mercy,  they  had  it  more  immcdialcif 


80  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

out  of  God's  own  hand  ;  yea,  that  the  less  moderation  therfir 
was  whilst  their  trial  hath  come  to  an  extremity,  they  have 
found  it  then  upon  the  turn,  and  their  hope  and  encourage- 
ment oft  made  to  spring  up  therewith. 

6.  How  the  Lord's  deferring  their  mercy,  which  they 
had  oft  sought,  hath  been  indeed  their  mercy  and  ad- 
vantage, which  did  always  meet  them  in  the  season  ;  yea, 
they  must  say,  his  way  is  always  nearest,  and  waiting 
on  God  without  making  haste,  doth  truly  make  the  quick- 
est dispatch. 

7.  Their  experience  can  also  witness,  how  men's  re- 
proach, and  venting  their  malice  that  way  to  ruin  their  rep- 
utation, hath  oft  been  the  occasion,  ordered  by  the  Lord,  to 
bring  forth  their  further  clearing,  and  vindication  even  by 
that  very  mean. 

8.  How  by  some  sad  cross  he  doth  oh  prevent  a  sadder , 
which  though  strange  at  first,  they  have  been  forced  upon 
after  discovery  to  confess  ;  the  man,  who  riding  in  haste  to 
the  seaport,  to  have  passage  over  seas  with  a  ship  going  then 
off,  fell  and  broke  his  leg  by  the  way,  which  was  the  saving 
of  his  life  ;  for  the  ship,  and  all  its  passengers,  perished  irt 
that  voyage ;  yet  this  was  a  bitter  astonishing  providence  to 
him  for  the  present. 

9.  How  their  loss,  even  by  some  sad  slip  and  failing,  in 
their  spiritual  condition,  hath  really  tended  to  their  further 
humbling  and  advantage  ;  yea,  that  which  brought 
them  under  some  visible  _  decay,  as  to  the  wonted  lustre, 
of  their  christian  profession  hath  helped  them  to  grow 
more  under  ground,  in  the  root  and  substantial  of  Christ- 
ianity. 

10.  They  can  tell  how  those  steps  of  the  providence 
of  God,  which  seemed  most  cross  to  that  design  he  was 
carrying  on,  yea,  looked  like  the  very  crushing  of  their  hope, 
have  oft  been  the  very  mean  which  hath  wrought  most 
effectually  to  bring  about  their  mercy. 

11.  I  shall  add  but  this,  as  the  christian's  witness  to  the 
truth  of  this  promise ;  that  the  sharpest  repioofs  have  seem- 
ed the  wounds  of  a  friend,  and  most  pressing  straits  made 
the  mean  for  their  further  enlargement ;  how  the  Lord 
hath  brought  them  into  some  dark  and  plunging  trial,  which 
then  looked  like  a  fearful  pit,  that  he  might  bring  them 
out  with  advantage,  set  their  feet  on  a  rock,  and  establish 
their  goings  ;  yea,  that  in  the  hottest  furnace,  they  lost  no- 
thing but  what  they  might  well  spare,  even  some  of  their 
dross. 

TENTH  instance,  is  that  general  promise  made  to  god- 
liness and  those  who  make  it  their  serious  study,  that  it  shall 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  81 

be  great  gain  ;  that  verily  it  shall  be  well  with  the  righteous, 
for  they  shall  eat  the  fruit  of  their  labour,  and  in  keeping  of 

the  command  there  is  a  great  reward,   I.  Tim.  vL  6.  L 

Petf  iii.  12,  13.  Psal.  xix.  11. 

This  is  indeed  a  great  concerning  truth;  but  a  truth, 
which,  I  am  sure,  none  who  did  ever  make  earnest  of  relig- 
ion, will  call  in  question;  Many  convincing  experiments 
hath  the  christian  had  thereof  through  his  life  :  such  want 
not  some  diary  and  record,  wherein  they  can  cast  up  the 
advantage,  they  have  reaped  inclose  following  of  God 
and  their  duty  ;  yea,  from  most  remarkable  providences 
they  may  oft  say,  This  I  had,  because  I  kept  thy  precepts. 
Now,  that  this  promise  hath  a  large  witness,  I  shall 
here  touch  some  things,  which  I  may  with  some  con- 
fidence say,  both  in  the  present  and  in  former  times 
have  been  proved,  and  sealed  by  the  saints  in  their  ex- 
perience. 

1.  That  they  never  more  effectually  consulted  their  good 
and  advantage,  than  when  they  did  with  greatest  singleness 
consult  their  duty,  and  least  with  flesh  and  blood :  they  did 
never  more  truly  seek  themsehes,  than  in  the  practice  of 
self  denial;  yea,  in  what  they  intended  God  most,  and 
least  their  own  private  interest,  they  have  therein  found  a 
very  sensible  advantage. 

2.  That  a  serious  endeavour  to  walk  before  God  accepta- 
bly, they  have  found  still  the  best  policy,  even  in  the  worst 
of  times ;  and  have  found  his  way  then  very  sat- 
isfying, while  it  was  most  their  study  how  to  please  him  : 
yea,  they  have  been  obliged  to  confess,  that  when  the 
Lord's  way  was  their  choice,  they  have  found  it  also  their 
reward. 

3.  They  have  found  more  real  joy  and  peace  in  with* 
standing  temptations,  than  in  any  thing  the  temptation  offer- 
ed;  and  in  laying  their  interest  at  God's  feet,  and  their 
will  underneath  his,  more  than  in  all  their  carnal  enjoy- 
ments. O  the  taste,  and  testimony  of  God's  approbation  I 
how  sweet  a  smile  is  his,  in  whose  countenance  heaven 
lieth  ! 

4.  Thatinwarci  peace  and  tranquillity  of  mind,  a  sweet 
calm  and  composure  of  spirit,  doth  as  really  attend  a 
spiritual  frame  and  walk,  as  the  shadow  the  body  ; 
and  their  best  and  most  comfortable  days,  wherein  they 
have  truly  walked  at  liberty,  have  been  when  their 
heart  was  most  subject  to  the  law,  with  a  single  respect  tp 
the  same. 

5.  That  religion  and  a  spiritual  walk  is  the  best  friend, 
even  as  to  a  contented  and  comfortable  life  hero  in  the 


S2  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

world  ;  and  that  they  have  then  most  freedom  to  enjoy 
themsekcs  and  their  lot  with  satisfaction,  when  they  most 
cr\]oy  God :  yea,  that  nearness  and  communion  with  him 
tendeth  to  the  sublimating  and  refining  of  their  natural  spir- 
it; and  hath  been  an  observable  help  to  their  very  common 
abilities  and  parts. 

6.  That  there  is  truly  a  reality  in  the  blessing,  which 
maketh  a  small  thing  signify  much,  and  yield  more  than 
greater  abundance. 

7.  That  when  they  give  God  their  heart,  it  is  then  sweet 
and  matter  of  satisfaction,  to  observe  his  ways  ;  and  the  ob- 
servation is  very  refreshing,  how  far  the  Lord  condescends 
to  their  deszresftyhen  they  sum  them  all  up  in  himself,  and 
make  him  their  delight. 

8.  That  the  pleasure  of  religion  is  in  thepraaice  thereof ; 
and  the  way  to  have  religion  easy,  is  to  be  thoroughly  re- 
ligious. Duty  is  then  sweet,  when  men  do  it  from  an  in- 
ward principle  ;  and  holiness  would  be  a  more  pleasant 
work,  yea,  a  reward  to  itself,  if  there  were  less  mixture  of 
hypocrisy. 

9.  That  real  humility,  and^  walking  low  in  their 
own  eyes,  and  before  God,  did  never  lose  to  them 
respect  and  credit  from  men  ;  but  self  abasement  doth 
observably  go  before  lifting  up,  and  true  honour  fol 
loweth  such,  who  least  hunt  after  vain  applause  from  the 
world. 

10.  That  when  they  were  most  faithful  to  observe  and 
improve  a  little,  then  for  their  encouragement  more  hath 
been  added  ;  and  they  never  wanted  matter  and  motive  to 
be  thankful,  when  opportunities  were  improved  and  taken 
hold  of  for  that  end  :  yea,  they  have  found  there  is  a  mercy 
within  a  mercy,  and  some  peculiar  mercy  in  every  cross. 
which  is  only  found  and  brought  forth  by  the  exercised  se- 
rious improver  of  the  same. 

11.  That  much  sincerity  hath  also  much  sense  follow- 
ing the  same;  secret  honesty  before  God  hath  met  them 
openly  before  men,  and  faithfulness  in  christian  freedom 
purchased  them  more  favour  and  respect,  even  from  the 
worst,  than  when  they  studied  most  to  please  them  in  a  sin- 
ful way. 

12.  That  they  never  saw  so  clearly  the  gain  and  real  ad- 
vantage of  godliness,  and  what  a  difference  there  is  betwixt 
those  that  serve  God,  and  those  that  serve  him  not,  as  in  a 
time  of  trouble  and  strait  ;  how  then  tenderness  in  their  for- 
mer walk,  and  that  which  they  entertained  in  the  morning, 
doth  now  meet  them  at  night,  and  pay  them  home  with  ad^ 
vantage  in  an  hour  of  temptation. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  83 

13.  They  have  been  forced  to  observe,  that  there  is  an 
invisible  guard  about  his  people  in  their  duty;  that  the 
ministry  cf  the  angels  towards  such  is  no  delusion,  and 
have  oft  been  made  to  wonder  how  hazard  within  an  hair 
breadth  hath  been  prevented  ;  relief,  and  help  come  as  be- 
twixt the  bridge  and  the  water  ;  how  they  have  been  sensi- 
bly preserved  amidst  greatest  dangers,  while  (as  it  were) 
an  inhibition  hath  been  served  upon  these,  that  they  should 
come  near,  but  not  hurt,  and  only  met  with  them,  that 
they  might  read  their  preservation  from  them. 

14.  That  an  enlarged  heart  doth  meet  with  an  enlarged 
allowance  ;  and  bearing  burden  with  others  of  the  people 
of  God,  hath  helped  to  make  their  mm  private  burden  the 
lighter. 

15.  That  real  godliness  and  religion  hath  as  much  in 
hand,  as  it  may  be  a  reward  to  itself;  which  beautineth 
the  soul j  and  maketh  the  face  and  conversation  to  shine 
with  an  observable  lustre;  that  guardeth  and  preserveth 
the  heart  from  many  vexing  crosses,  prevc  nteth  sad  strokes 
and  sorrows,  that  others  are  pierced  with,  who  will  fol- 
low their  idols,  and  the  ways  of  sin,  which  are  bitter  in  the 
close. 

In  a  word,  this  is  surely  found,  that  Go  d  is  the  best  friend ; 
and  when  there  is  peace  with  him,  things  without  do  not  of- 
fend :  but  they  shall  then  understand  what  it  is  to  be  in 
league  with  the  beasts  of  the  field  and  stones  of  the  ground \ 
having  a  sweet  agreement  with  all  the  providences  and  dis- 
pensations that  come  in  their  way. 

V.  That  the  scripture  threatciiings,  have  also  a  certain 
accomplishment,  are  found  to  be  sad  earnest,  and  do  not" 
fall  to  the  ground,  the  christian  can  also  seal  from  his  expe- 
rience. 

We  are  not  here  to  understand  the  threatening  of  vindic- 
tive -wrath  (from  which  believers  are  freed  in  Christ)  but 
of  a  fatherly  displeasure,  which  because  of  sin  may  draw 
deep,  yea,  bring  forth  very  dreadful  effects,  to  witniss  that 
it  is  an  evil  and  bitter  thing  to  depart  from  God,  and  that 
their  own  doings  shall  chastise  them  ;  and  these  threat- 
eningsof  the  covenant,  Jft&y  children  forsake  my  law,  JhviJl 
punish  their  transgression  with  rods,&c.  {Psal.  lxxxix. 
30.)  are  sure  truths,  which  want  not  in  every  time  a  per- 
formance. 

To  clear  this  (ere  I  speak  any  thing  particularly)  I  would 
premise  some  things  to  be  considered. 

1.  That  the  word  is  a  perpetual  rule,  which  in  every 
time  must  take  place ;  and  though  affliction  is  a  piece 
of  the  common  misery  of  man,  yet  doth  it  not  arise  out 


84  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

of  the  dust,  neither  fall  out  at  an  adventure,  but  doth 
oft  visibly  follow  the  tract  of  sin  (as  a  sluthhound*) 
pointing  at  such  evils  as  the  cause,  by  the  stroke,  and  at  the 
truth  and  fulfilling  of  the  threatenings,  written  upon 
both. 

2.  We  should  adore  his  sovereignty,  whose  way  both  in 
the  measure  and  manner  of  his  people's  chastisement  is  so 
•various,  as  that  none  can  infallibly  conclude,  what  he  is  to 
do  in  such  a  case  ;  I  mean,  we  are  not  to  limit  the  Lord  to 
such  a  way  and  method  in  his  working  :  yet,  this  we  may 
assert  and  firmly  conclude,  that  not  only  the  threatenings  of 
the  word  have  a  performance,  but  men  may  also  have 
even  beforehand  some  more  than  probable  conjecture,  yea, 
a  clear  discovery,  what  such  a  case  doth  threaten,  and  what 
will  be  the  issue  of  a  sinful  course,  by  considering  the 
Lord's  ordinary  procedure,  both  with  themselves  and 
others  ;  how  sin  hath  very  sad  effects,  and  his  way  in  all 
ages  is  still  uniform,  agreeing  with  itself,  and  with  the  word. 

3.  Though  a  gracious  state  doth  surely  privilege  from 
wrath  and  condemnation,  yet  not  from  affliction,  and  sad 
strokes  of  divine  anger  because  of  sin  ;  for  he  taketh  ven- 
geance on  men's  inventions,  even  when  he  will  spare  the 
inventors. 

4.  The  Lord  doth  oft  contend  with  his  people  for  their 
folly  and  miscarriages,  more  severely  than  with  others  ;  and 
will  not  overlook  in  them,  that  which  he  passeth  by  in  the 
world,  without  being  a  reprover  ;  but  when  light  and  love 
and  the  law  will  not  hedge  up  their  way,  he  will  set  briars 
and  thorns  before  them,  yea,  speak  by  chastisement  upon 
their  bones,  to  withdraw  men  from  their  purpose. 

5.  It  is  known,  how  very  deep  the  holy  anger  of  God 
may  draw  against  his  children,  even  sometimes  to  pursue 
them  out  of  the  land  of  the  living,  and  follow  them  to  the 
grave,  with  some  remarkable  stroke;  yea,  it  hath  made 
them  dreadful  examples  of  judgment  in  this  life,  for  whom 
he  hath  accepted  an  eternal  sacrifice  in  Christ. 

6.  I  shall  add,  this  is  the  Lord's  blessed  end  in  making 
out  his  threatenings  against  his  people,  that  they  should  not 
perish  with  the  world.  O  !  what  a  blessed  exchange  is  it, 
that  the  flaming  sword,  which  once  stood  to  guard  the  tree 
of  life,  doth  now  stand  as  it  were  in  the  way  of  the  saints, 
to  keep  them  from  running  into  the  pat/is  of  death. 

Having  premised  these  things,  I  shall  now  instance  some 
particular  evils,  wherewith  the  godly  are  ready  to  be  over- 
taken, which  the  word  doth  expressly  threaten,  and  hold 

*  A  dog-'so  called  in  Scotland,  that  hath  an  exquisite  sense  of  smelling. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  85 

forth  the  hazard  of,  both  as  to  outward  and  spiritual  strokes, 
and  give  in  here  the  christians'  witness  from  their  experi- 
ence, in  all  ages,  of  the  truth  of  these  threatenings. 

FIRST.  Security  and  carnal  confidence,  which  we 
find  the  word  doth  threaten,  is  one  evil  wherewith 
christians  are  ready  to  be  overtaken ;  but  they  do 
also  know  by  sad  experience,  what  bitter  fruit  this  brings 
forth,  and  that  therein  the  word  falleth  not  to  the  ground, 
which  is  held  forth  in  Hos.  ii.  1,  9.  vii.  9.  Isa. 
xxx.  16,  17. 

First,  that  a  secure  condition  is  the  usual  forerunner  of 
some  sad  change  ;  that  when  they  are  most  at  ease  in  a  dull 
and  dead  temper  of  spirit,  some  sharp  rousing  dispensation 
is  upon  the  back  of  it ;  either  a  gross  sin,  or  a  searching 
cross,  as  a  thorn  in  the  bed  of  their  security,  to  drive  them 
to  their  feet. 

2.  That  seldom  reckoning  with  conscience,  the  running  on 
of  accounts  for  some  time  upon  their  hand,  doth  ravel  their 
case,  unto  a  sad  confusion,  and  maketh  it  a  bitter  and  heart- 
less  work  to  retire  alone,  or  within  themselves  ;  yea,  hath 
a  most  direct  tendency  to  a  further  hardening,  and  real  de- 
serting of  their  duty. 

3.  That  when  security  and  deadness  groweth  within, 
it  quickly  maketh  them  dry  up  and  wither  without,  in 
the  external  performance  of  duty,  and  in  that  vigorous 
lively  appearance,  which  did  formerly  brighten  their 
walk  and  carriage  before  others,  so  as  very  bystanders 
may  read  the  languishing  of  grace,  in  the  dead  exercise  of 
their  gifts. 

4.  Tliat  going  about  duty  with  most  confidence  in  them- 
selves doth  usually  give  them  the  most  clear  discovery  of  their 
weakness;  yea,  when  they  have  least  looked  for  any  cross, 
they  have  then  been  sure  to  meet  with  it,  with  that  sad  ad- 
dition, of  being  a  surprisal'm  a  secure  condition  :  whereas, 
on  the  other  hand,  they  may  tell  what  refreshing  disappoint- 
ments they  have  got,  where  some  trials  have  been  most  fear- 
ed and  looked  for. 

5 .  That  secure  sporting  with  a  temptation  may  soon  turn 
to  sad  earnest;  they  have  found  it  very  hard  to  dance  about 
the  fire,  and  not  be  burnt  :  and  the  temptation,  which  at  a 
distance  seemed  small,  upon  a  nearer  approach  they  have 
found  had  more  bands  on  their  heart,  and  was  another  thing 
than  they  could  have  believed. 

6.  That  the  means,  whereon  they  have  laid  most  weight, 
they  have  also  found  to  have  given  them  the  saddest  disap- 
pointment :  the  putting  of  them  in  God's  room,  and  out  of 
their  own  place,  hath  been  the  way  to  cause  them  to  miscar- 


8$.  7 he  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

ry  ;  yea,  to  turn  their  cross.  Whereas  they  have  oft  seen 
something  unexpected,  made  the  mean  of  their  help,  that 
they  might  know  means  are  ordered  of  the  Lord,  and  are 
useful,  because  he  maketh  them  so. 

7.  Their  experience  can  also  witness,  that  carnal  confi- 
dence despising  the  trial  at  a  distance,  is  usually  punished 
with  carnal  diffidence  and  despondency  of  spirit  under 
the  same  ;  one  extremity  made  the  punishment  of  the 
other,  like  the  hot  and  cold  -fits'  of  an  ague,  which  do  mu- 
tually make  one  and  the  other  more  intense  :  yea,  that 
their  immoderate  confidence  and  expectation  of  a  thing, 
hath  after  resolved  in  as  immoderate  discouragement  at  their 
stroke. 

SECOND.  The  christian's  wrco  at  ch fulness  and  inter « 
mitting  in  the  exercise  of  that  so  necessary  and  commanded 
duty,  we  find  the  word  threatened!,  and  hokieth  forth  the 
hazard  thereof,  lest  ye  enter  into  temptation,  the  verifying 
whereof  their  experience  can  also  witness.  Luk.  xxi.  34. 
36.  Matth.  xxvi.  41. 

1.  That  it  is  not  easy  to  guide  their  walk  and  conversa- 
tion, when  their  guard  over  the  heart  doth  slacken  ;  but  the 
giving  loose  reins  for  a  little  may  make  such  a  sad  and  large 
breach,  that  many,  many  days  will  not  easily  make  up  ; 
yea,  they  do  also  know,  how  a  sensible  withdrawing  of  the 
spirit,  and  drying  up  their  life  and  liberty,  is  the  usual  fruit, 
which  unw at ch fulness  brings  forth. 

2.  That  this  helpeth  to  make  their  sunshines  transient, 
and  causeth  a  low  ebb  after  the  greatest  enlargement,  whilst 
thty  do  not  guard  against  their  peculiar  evils;  and  that 
usually  there  doth  haunt  such  a  condition  the  swelling  of  the 
flesh  (when  the  spirit  is  most  enlarged)  which  will  soon  put 
them  as  far  behind,  as  they  formerly  thought  themselves  at 
an  advantage. 

3.  That  when  once  the  heart  lieth  aptrt,  it  is  quickly 
seized  on  and  made  a  prey  ;  with  what  a  bitter  sting  doth 
it  return,  after  it  hath  taken  liberty  to  wander  !  yea,  doth 
iinel  there  is  a  swift  progress,  that  sin  hath  from  the  thoughts 
to  the  rolling  of  it  to  the  imagination,  and  thence  to  the 
affection,  wherewith  it  is  more  easy  to  engage,  than  to 
shake  this  off. 

4.  That  univatchfulness  hath  oft  turned  the  most  special 
times  and  opportunities  for  advantage,  to  the  greatest  loss  ; 
which,  through  their  neglect  of  these,  hath  put  them  rur- 
ther  behind,  than  they  were :  it  hath  turned  their  retirement 
and  solitude,  to  be  their  snare  ;  made  the  desert  worse  and 
more  dangerous,  than  the  city  ;  and  made  them  find,  that 
vain  thoughts,  the  following  whereof  seemeth  pleasant  to  the 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  87 

mouth,  will  prove  gall  and  wormwood  in  the  belly  ;  there- 
being  no  sadder  company,  than  a  man's  spirit  let  loose  up- 
on itself,  whilst  they  cannot  stop  that  current  whereto  they 
had  given  a  vent. 

5.  Their  experience  of  this  can  witness  that  nnwatchfuL 
ness  hath  an  undoubted  tendency  to  cast  off  prayer.  How 
hard  is  it,  in  the  evening  to  retire  to  God,  whilst  the  heart 
is  abroad  a\\  the  day  ?  To  be  religious  in  worship,  when 
men  are  not  so  in  their  walk  ;  yea,  they  do  find,  that  this 
will  bring  their  distemper  within,  out  of  doors  ;  to  some 
disorder,  impertinency  or  passion  in  their  words,  or  out- 
ward communication  :  a  thing,  which  experience  may  tell, 
doth  wound  the  soul,  make  a  sad  breach  in  their  peace,  and 
doth  quickly  overcloud  the  spirit,  and  unfit  them  for  com- 
munion with  God,  and  going  about  of  spiritual  duties. 

THIRD.  To  restrain  prayer,  and  neglect  calling  mi 
God,  is-  an  evil  also  which  the  word  doth  threaten,  and  hold 
forth  the  same  hazard  thereof,  as  of  unwatchfulness,  lest 
ye  enter  into  temptation  ;  yea,  that  this  is  even  a  step  to  the 
casting  off  of  fear,  the  christian's  experience,  from  fre- 
quent trial  can  witness,  that  this  scripture  threatening  is 
true,  Mat.  xxvi.  41.  Job  xv.  4. 

1.  /That  they  have  found  this  the  rise,  which  giveth  life 
and  increase  to  their  prevailing  evils  ;  and  that  corruption 
then  is  upon  a  sensible  growth,  as  the  lively  exercise  oi 
prayer  begins  to  be  intermitted. 

2.  That  this  weareth  out  their  spiritual  life,  and  bring- 
etha  consumption  upon  the  vital  spirits  of  Christianity  ; 
so  that  those  who  sometime  flourished,  and  kept  green, 
(as  by  the  scent  of  water  J  that  correspondence,  which  they 
had  with  the  fountain  of  their  life,  while  his  dew  did  lie  all 
night  on  their  branches,  hath  through  neglect  of  prayer 
been  brought  to  a  poor  shadow  ;  so  although  sometimes 
the  greatness  of  their  loss  and  distemper  hath  been  hid 
from  themselves,  yet  might  be  easily  discerned  by  look- 
ers on. 

3.  That  wearing  out  of  prayer  and  of  delight  therein, 
will  quickly  make  them  disrelish  any  other  piece  of  relig- 
ion ;  put  them  out  of  frame  to  meditate,  or  to  give  thanks, 
or  entertain  fellowship  with  the  saints  ;  yea.,  the  more 
lively  and  spiritual  these  are,  it  maketh  them  .'the  more  a 
burden  and  torment  to  them. 

4.  That  wearing  out  of  this  is  a  strong  temptation  to  a 
further  jorbearcmce,  and  will  sensibly  wear  them  out  of 

any  sense  of  their  need  hereof,  and  make  them  strangers 
to  themselves  and  to  their  own  ease  :  so  that  they  shall 
find,  the  less  they  are  in  this  exercise,  the  further  they  shall 


8 8  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scrip tw  c 

be  indisposed  ;  and  the  fewer  errands  they  have,  the  less 
felt  necessity  of  the  same. 

5.  Their  experience  can  also  witness,  that  little  prayer 
maketh  a  heavy  burden  ;  doth  multiply  their  straits  ;  and 
cause  their  care  to  grow,  as  this  is  abated  ;  they  must  then 
bear  their  burden  alone,  and  with  heaviness  take  counsel 
within  themselves,  while  they  ply  not  this  best  tried 
remedy,  to  make  their  requests  in  all  things  known  to 
God. 

FOURTH.  We  find  the  word  doth  threaten  defection 
from  the^  truths  and  turning  from  the  way  of  God  in  a 
time  of  trial,  as  an  evil,  into  which  those  that  are  kept  by 
grace  from  final  apostacy,  may  yet  through  the  violence  of 
a  temptation  fall.  Jcrem.  ix.  13,  15.  Psalm  lxxxix.  30, 
32.  Jos.  viii.  11.  and  their  sad  experience  can  witness 
the  truth  of  the  scripture  threatenings  concerning  this  also, 
while  they  have  found, 

1.  That  in  one  day  they  may  adventure  on  that,  which 
through  most  of  their  life  they  have  not  got  over,  but  it 
hath  made  them  go  with  their  back  bowed  down  to  the 
grave  :  that  their  giving  the  Lord's  work  a  wrong  touchi 
is  one  of  those  things  which  doth  scarcely  leave  them  all 
their  time  ;  but,  beyond  other  sins,  they  have  found  this 
still  come  up  with  a  bitter  and  heavy  reflection  ;  yea,  in 
the  evening  of  their  life  they  have  found  this  so  sore  on 
their  spirit,  that  it  could  not  lie  hid  or  silent,  but  they  were 
forced  to  witness  their  sense  of  it  before  the  world,  ere  they 
could  obtain  any  ease. 

2.  That  this  the  Lord  doth  usually  meet,  with  some 
sharp  and  public  reproof  \  even  before  men  ;  that  though 
he  pardon  his  people,  yea,  give  some  sensible  intimation 
thereof  to  their  souls,  yet  he  hath  not  passed  them,  as  to 
some  visible  mark  of  his  displeasure,  because  of  such  a 
thing. 

3.  They  see,  that  a  crooked  and  uncleanly  way  proves 
not  the  mean  of  extricating  them  out  of  trouble ;  bui 
their  straits  have  been  made  to  grow  therewith  ;  yea, 
they  have  found,  that  which  they  eschewed  in  God's  way, 
hatn  more  sadly  accosted  them  in  another  rod  ;  and  that 
there  is  a  thick  dreg  in  the  bottom  of  the  cup,  which  mak- 
eth it  worse  to  drink  thereof  at  the  close,  than  at  the  be- 
ginning. 

4.  That  it  is  not  easy  to  make  a  stand  in  turning  aside 
from  the  way  of  God,  when  once  they  are  engaged;  a 
retrograde  motion  is  very  violent,  and  yielding  in  a  little 
will  bring  with  it  some  necessity  of  going  further,  as  a  ju- 
dicial stroke. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  89 

5.  That  foregoing  of  some  clear  opportunity,  to  give  a 
testimony  for  the  truth,  when  called  thereto,  hath  turned 
to  be  their  judgment,  that  they  should  not  have  further 
access,  or  be  made  useful  that  way  ;  a  thing  truly  obvious 
to  such  as  are  wise  to  observe  the  judgments  of  God  in 
their  time  ;  yea,  likewise  that  public  backsliding  doth  oft 
visibly  wear  men  out  of  personal  tenderness. 

FIFTH.  Unsubduedness  of  spirit,  and  vj  ant  of  morti- 
fication to  outward  things,  the  word  doth  clearly  threaten* 
and  hold  out  its  hazard  ;  the  accomplishment  whereof 
christians'  experience  can  witness.     Rom.  viii.  6,  7. 

1.  That  God  hath  oft  turned  their  idol  to  be  their  cross  ; 
put  a  mark  of  his  jealousy  on  their  dearest  things,  when 
once  they  put  them  in  his  room  ;  yea,  frequent  observation 
of  the  Lord's  way,  both  with  themselves  and  others,  doth 
shew,  if  they  would  be  quit  of  a  thing,  they  may  set  their 
heart  immoderately  on  it ;  such  eagerness  and  exorbitancy 
of  affection  being  a  sure  presage,  it  shall  either  be  their 
judgment,  or  sorrow,  or  cease  to  be. 

2.  That  outward  things  did  never  yield  less,  than  whilst 
they  pressed  them  most :  that  when  they  are  eager  in  pur- 
suit of  the  world,  and  satisfaction  there,  their  spirits  are 
sensibly  hurried  with  many  perturbations  ;  so  that  they 
must  say,  that  which  keepeth  them  from  enjoying  of  God, 
doth  also  hinder  the  comfortable  enjoying  of  themselves. 

3.  They  have  found,  that  slow  advance  in  the  work  of 
mortification,  hath  at  last  doubled  their  smart  ;  and  been 
the  procuring  cause  of  some  very  sharp  cure,  when  the 
disease  did  come  to  that  height,  that  a  small  and  ordinary 
potion  could  not  do  the  turn. 

^  4.  That  immoderate  desire  and  pressing  after  an  outward 
tiling,  they  have  sometime  got  answered,  but  therewith  a 
sharp  reproof t  from  the  Lord  ;  yea,  usually  have  found 
small  satisfaction  in  their  enjoying  that,  about  which  they 
were  so  unsober  in  their  pursuit.  G'ne  me  children,  or 
else  I  die,  said  Rachel;  she  obtained  children,  and  she  died 
in  bringing  one  of  them  forth. 

5.  Their  experience  can  also  witness,  how  overcaring 
anxiety  hath  oft  caused  things  to  thrive  worse  under  their 
hand  ;  whilst  they  found  never  a  more  satisfying  issue  in 
a  particular,  than  by  a  quiet  submissive  dependence  on  the 
Lord  for  the  same. 

SIXTH.  The  doing  violence  to  light,  and  slurring 
against  conscience,  as  it  is  clearly  threatened  in  the  word, 
so  likewise  the  sad  effects  thereof  have  been  clearly  wit- 
nessed, in  all  ages.    Prov.  xxix,  1.  Psal.  lxxxi.  11,  12. 

M 


00  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

1.  What  a  direct  tendency  thishdih  to  the  further  dark- 
ening of  their  light, ( and  to  a  judicial  hardening  ;  and  that 
reproofs  not  entertained,  do  usually  become  less  frequent, 
yea,  less  pungent  and  searching ;  their  heart  then  doth  not 
so  easily  smite  them,  and  put  tears  in  their  eye,  as  some- 
times a  word,  or  secret  rebuke  of  the  conscience,  would 
have  done  ;  so  as  they  can  now  digest  greater  things,  who 
would  sometimes  have  stood  at  that  which  comparatively 
was  very  small. 

2.  That  when  they  would  not  read  their  bosom  distent- 
per,  which  both  by  the  word  and  conscience  was  pointed 
out,  others  have  got  leave  to  read  the  same  written  on  their 
forehead;  and  the  shifting  off  of  discovered  guilt,  and  of 
all  serious  endeavour  to  get  the  quarrel  taken  up  in  sscre$y 
betwixt  God  and  them,  hath  brought  the  matter  at  last  to 
some  public  hearing,  even  before  the  generation. 

3.  That  their  darkening  of  their  light  upon  some  private 
interest,  while  they  would  again  and  again  inquire  if  such 
a  thing  be  warrantable,  concerning  which  the  Lord  had 
once  cleared  their  mind,  is  a  most  perilous  thing;  yea, 
hath  got  an  answer  according  to  the  idol  of  their  heart,  and 
their  choice  made  to  be  their  judgment. 

I  shall  but  add,  what  bitter  and  sad  experience  can  tell, 
how  dreadful  it  is,  to  give  the  conscience  a  blow,  which  is 
more  easily  hurt  than  healed  ;  that  deliberate,  adventuring 
on  the  occasion  of  a  temptation,  when  they  would  go  ta 
ihe  high  priest's  hall,  without  warrant  or  a  call,  hath  cost 
them  dear  ;  and  they  have  found  that  bold'  sinning  doth 
afterward  mnfce  faint  believing. 

I  know,  it  is  by  serious  and  experienced  christians,  and 
by  these  only,  that  this  argument  in  the  meaning  thereof 
can  be  readied  ;  and  it  is  sure,  such  will  not  debate  the 
same,  who  know  the  truth,  and  have  it  dwelling  m  the  my 
and  on  another  ground  than  report,  are  established  in  its 
certainty.  For  these  can  witness,  what  sweet  comforting 
hour's  they  have  had  with  Jesus  Christ,  in  a  sad  uncom- 
fortable time  ;  that  he  hath  both  spoken,  and  himself  also 
hath  done  it ;  and  such  must  therefore  seal  his  word  and 
the  truth  thereof,  because  he  hath  sealed  it  on  their  heart ; 
yea,  doth  so  surely  know,  it  is  God  who  worketh  all  their 
works  in  them,  that  with  their  last  words  and  dying  breath 
they  have  confidence  to  assert  this,  and  commend  mat 
excellent  study  of  godliness  to  others. 

I  know,  that  with  a  great  many  of  the  world  this  grave 
convincing  argument  of  experience  hath  no  weight;  for 
strangers  intermeddle  not  with  that  joy,  and  therefore  fan- 
cy it  a  pure  fiction,  as  the  only  "expedient;  and  preservative 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  9  i 

to  their  heart  from  the  horror  and  inexpressible  torment, 
which  must  seize  on  them,  if  the  certainty  and  necessity 
of  godliness  were  granted;  these  scoff  at  this  excellent 
thing,  as  some  vain  conceit  or  distemper,  because  they 
would  have  it  so.  But  with  Buch  I  must  here  crave  a  se- 
rious and  free  communing  ;  yea,  in  so  great  and  interest- 
ing a  business  must  obtest,  that  they  would  not  shut  their 
oyes,  but  allow  reason  that  weight,  they  would  do  in  any 
other  case.  O  what  do  you  allege,  on  what  ground  do  you 
reject  this  great  witness  of  experience  ?  ]f  you  deny  it, 
because  you  have  not/bund  it,  do  not  others  assert  this, 
because  they  surely  know  it  ?  And  their  assertion  hath 
these  two  advantages  ;  (1.)  that  they  once  had  the  same 
sentiment  and  opinion  with  you,  which  now  they  reflect 
on  with  much  horror.  (2.)  The  reality  of  its  effects  on 
them  proves  both  the  reality  of  the  cause,  and  the  excel- 
lency thereof.  And  now  if  these  be  indeed  serious,  and 
their  testimony  true,  whom  yoiUhus  challenge,  are  you 
not  in  a  sad  and  dreadful  case  ;  since  you  cannot  think  to 
lodge  together  at  night,  or  that  your  interest  and  theirs 
will  meet  in  another  world,  which  hath  been  so  very  op- 
posite here  by  the  way  !  You  must  surely  part  with  these 
at  death,  and  land  at  some  other  port,  to  whom  all  your 
life  ycu  have  walked  so  cross  I  O  sit  but  with  yourselves 
alone,  and  consider  this  ;  you  hate  serious  religion,  and 
therefore  you  reproach  it ;  will  you  take  such  a  revenge  on 
yourselves,  and  out  of  prejudice  to  it,  run  on  so  great  and 
eternal  a  ruin  ?  But  know  assuredly,  it  is  not  what  you 
judged,  and  if  once  you  pass  (in  this  delusion)  that  great 
and  last  step  betwixt  time  and  eternity,  you  are  undone, 
oh  undone  for  ever !  And  sure,  if  you  admit  the  authority 
cf  the  scripture,  you  cannot  debate  the  christian's  experi- 
ence ;  while  there  you  have  so  great  a  cloud  of  witnesses, 
who  bear  that  same  testimony  ;  but  it  is  on  yourself  you 
must  reflect  (not  on  the  truth)  that  you  know  so  little  in 
riiis  way. 

^  Now,  to  leave  some  conviction  on  the  atheists  of  this 
time,  and  those  who  take  liberty  to  scoff*  at  serious  relig- 
ion, I  would  here  offer  some  rational  grounds  ;  which  even 
to  the  world  and  bystanders  may  convincingly'  demon- 
strate, if  they  would  but  consider  the  same  in  earnest,  that 
this  testimony  the  saints  do  in  all  ages  bear,  from  their  ex- 
perience, to  the  truth,  can  be  no  cunning  device  or  false- 
hood, but  is  most  certain  and  sure.     For, 

1.  That  must  be  a  sure  testimony,  and  is  no  cheat,  if  you 
judge  that  those  who  declare  the  same,  have  the  sense  of  a 
Deity \  and  have  any  truths  or  moral  candour.    For  it  is  a 


92  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

clear  dilemma  ;  either  such,  whose  witness  this  is,  are  im- 
postors of  the  highest  degree,  yea,  in  atheism  and  gross 
deceit  must  exceed  all  the  world  beside  :  or,  it  is  true  and 
valid,  what  they  witness.  Now,  for  the  first,  I  shall  crave 
no  more  in  their  behalf,  but  an  appeal  to  your  conscience 
and  sober  thoughts,  if  you  could  judge  thus  of  them. 

2.  This  testimony  must  be  sure,  if  you  but  allow  those 
the  use  of  judgment  and  reason,  who  bear  it,  and  do  not 
judge  them  wholly  dementated  ;  for  it  were  a  strange  and 
unheard  of  madness,  that  men  should  pursue  a  shadow 
with  so  great  seriousness,  and  on  this  interest  venture  so 
far,  if  religion  and  the  power  thereof  were  not  a  reality. 
Sure,  one  of  these  two  must  hold  ;  if  christians  do  not 
experience  themselves  what  they  hold  out  to  others,  that 
they  are  either  in  the  highest  measure  profligate  and  wick- 
ed, even  beyond  the  ordinary  rate  and  depravation  of  hu- 
man nature  ;  or  they  must  be  under  a  strange  madness  and 
delirium-  They  must  either  design  to  cheat  the  world,  or 
themselves,  but  though  their  adversaries  could  wish  to 
have  it  so,  I  think  their  malice  will  not  make  them  so 
mad,  as  to  own  that  challenge  ;  and  since  these  cannot  be 
alleged,  I  profess  were  I  the  greatest  atheist,  who  did  not 
own  the  scripture,  I  could  not  seriously  consider  the  way 
and  walk  of  such  who  are  tender  christians,  without  aston- 
ishment ;  or  conceive  how  in  such  a  world  and  so  many 
visible  disadvantages  they  should  be  thus  engaged,  on  any 
otjier  consideration,  than  the  truth  and  reality  of  Christ- 
ianity. 

3.  Do  yen  not  see,  this  is  their  testimony,  who  are 
willing  to  be  tried  therein,  and  render  a  reason  of  that  hope 
which  is  in  them  ?  yea,  do  in  this  offer  themselves  to  trial, 
and  with  greatest  seriousness  obtest  the  world,  not  to 
credit  implicitly  their  witness,  and  Jake  it  on  trust,  but 
themselves  put  it  to  the  most  exact  inquiry  and  search  ! 
And  truly,  if  there  be  an  appeal  and  reference  to  men's 
sense  and  feeling,  which  can  admit  no  debate,  I  know  not 
what  ground  they  have  to  question  this  witness,  until  they 
first  put  it  to  an  essay ,  that  from  their  own  experience  they 
could  contradict  the  same. 

4.  Should  you  not  admit  this  for  a  sure  testimony  if  you 
grant  any  moral  certainty  of  a  thing,  that  there  is  some 
case  wherein  a  human  testimony  can  allow  no  debate, 
which  in  this  present  case  must  be  undeniable  ;  for  you 
know  by  two  witnesses  a  matter  is  judicially  established: 
but  is  it  not  more  confirming  when  they  are  of  known 
judgment  and  integrity  !  yea,  out  of  diverse  and  remote 
places  of  the  earth,  and  otherwise  strangers  amongst  them- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  93 

selves,  but  yet  more,  not  only  when  dying  they  own  and 
assert  this,  but  are  willing  to  die  upon  a  testimony  thereto, 
and  seal  it  with  their  blood,  and  this  also  through  all  ages 
renewed  ?  O  what  can  be  more  convincing  as  to  moral 
certainty  !  Now  I  do  attest  the  world,  if  this  argument  of 
christian  experience  have  not  as  full  and  unanswerable 
proofs  of  its  certainty. 

5.  This  witness  can  be  no  counterfeit,  and  you  must 
judge  they  are  worthy  of  credit,  to  verify  the  scripture 
from  experience,  on  whose  practice  you  see  it  so  convinc- 
ingly transcribed.  Should  not  the  declaration  of  such 
about  the  truth  of  the  promise,  have  much  weight,  whilst 
you  see  what  a  serious  respect  these  have  to  the  rule  ;  to 
have  their  walk  ordered  in  that  way,  where  the  scripture 
warrants  them  to  expect  the  fulfilling  of  the  promise  /  And 
are  not  these  seen  to  be  the  most  tender  serious  christians, 
whose  way  useth  to  have  the  greatest  authority  over  your 
conscience,  who  do  most  own  this  witness,  and  hath  the 
largest  account  to  give  thereof  ? 

6.  Is  not  this  their  testimony  also,  whom  on  your  ex- 
actest  and  most  narrow  notice,  you  may  see  study  religion 
in  the  secret  and  retired  duties  thereof  ?  where  some  other 
interest,  than  the  observation  of  men,  must  be  an  incite- 
ment. Yea,  may  you  not  observe  there  are  such,  who  do 
seriously  own  the  practice  of  these  duties,  when  the  view  of 
those  about  them  might  be  a  greater  hindrance  and  ground 
of  fear,  than  any  persuading  motive  ?  And  whilst  you  chal- 
lenge the  light  profession  of  many  within  the  church,  do 
but  also  ask  your  conscience,  if  there  be  not  others,  whose 
way  you  must  justify,  even  in  spite  of  your  hatred  and 
prejudice  against  them,  that  it  hath  a  convincing  savour  of 
humility  ?  yea,  their  growth  under  ground,  and  being  se- 
rious and  real  in  what  they  profess,  may  be  clearly  dis- 
cerned from  a  naked  and  empty  shew. 

7.  Cart  those  intend,  by  such  a  testimony,  to  deceive 
others,  who  have  oft  been  in  so  great  fear  and  disquiet, 
that  they  be  not  themselves  deceived  ?  O  how  convincing 
may  this  be  to  the  world,  to  consider  what  perplexing 
queries  and  doubts  christians  have  sometime  about  their 
own  inward  case  ;  yea,  after  such  sharp  wrestlings,  a  most 
sweet  calm  and  composure  of  spirit  may  be  discerned.  It 
is  strange  this  puts  not  atheists  to  a  more  serious  inquiry, 
what  such  changes  can  mean,  which  will  make  men  differ 
so  far  from  themselves,  whilst  no  outward  cause  can  be 
discerned.  It  is  true  some  matters  lie  much  under  ground  ; 
the  heart  knows  its  own  bitterness,  and  a  stranger  doth  not  in- 
termeddle with  its  joy  ;  yea,  the  deepest  plunge  and  exercise 


S4  7 he  fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

may  make  little  noise  without  ;  yet  this  is  sure,  there  is 
so  much  under  these  vicissitudes,  that  is  obvious,  even  to 
the  view  of  lookers  on,  as  may  leave  some  conviction,  that 
their  enjoyments  must  be  true  and  real,  when  the  want 
thereof  is  so  sensibly  felt;  and  the  world  is  not  so  stupidly 
inadvertent,  not  to  observe  this,  if  they  did  not  shut  their 
eyes  for  fear  of  such  a  discovery. 

8.  Should  not  their  testimony  be  very  convincing, 
whose  complaints  and  challenges  you  may  find  more  at 
home  upon  themselves,  than  against  others  ;  who  are  oft 
bemoaning  over  those  evils,  which  the  eyes  olman  could 
not  reach?  may  not  the  world  see  how  some  are  pressed 
with  anguish  ofsoiu\  to  the  wasting  of  their  oody,  when  no 
cause  from  without  is  known,  and  otherwise  rational  and 
most  composed  ?  Yea,  may  it  not  sometimes  be  discerned, 
there  is  more  smothered  within,  which  gets  no  vent,  than 
appears  without?  for  grief  in  earnest  wants  not  some 
peculiar  marks,  by  which  it  may  be  witnessed  to  others. 
I  think,  this  should  put  the  world  to  such  a  reflection,  there 
must  be  some  grief  and  joy  and  a  cause  for  it,  which  goes 
above  the  world  or  the  things  thereof. 

V.  This  is  their  testimony,  whose  confidence  and  com- 
posure of  spirit,  in  the  greatest  exigences,  may  witness  to 
others  that  persuasion  they  have  of  the  truth  within  their 
own  souls.  You  see  aiso  at  what  labour  and  work  these 
arc  in  the  duties  of  religion  ;  yea,  when  they  are  most  se- 
rious, how  native  and  unconstrained  their  motions  are.  ^ 
Odoth  not  this  shew,  the  grace  of  God  and  a  new  nature 
is  another  thing  than  words  ;  and  that  they  must  surely 
find  satisfaction  in  these  duties,  which  makes  that  a  special 
delight  and  pleasure  to  them,  which  you  would  reckon  an 
intolerable  and  sore  toil. 

10.  Do  you  not  see  how  these  agr.ee  every  where  and  at 
every  time  in  this  testimony,  that  the  scripture  is  verified 
by  experience,  and  the^  breathings  and  influences  of  God 
on  the  soul  meet  them  in  the  way  oiduty  according  to  the 
promise,  even  whilst  they  most  remarkably  differ  amongst 
themselves  in  their  natural  temper  and  disposition?  And 
is  it  not  known  whatever  particular  and  lesser  differences, 
through  the  prevalence  of  corruption,  are  too  frequent 
amongst  these,  yet  no  challenge,  no  reflection  on  the  truth 
in  reality  of  godliness  in  itself,  will  be  found  when  their 
challenges  are  most  bitter  one  upon  another  ?  I  must  fur- 
ther attest  your  conscience,  whilst  you  have  heard  the  sad 
moans  of  dying  christians  about  the  interest  of  their  soul 
and  short  coming  in  the  study  of  godliness,  have  not  these 
complaints  been  still  to  commend  religion,  and  the  excel- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.    .  §5 

lency  thereof,  and  reflect  only  upon  themselves  ?  but  none 
ever  was  heard  to  have  such  a  complaint,  that  they  did  cheat 
the  world  in  that  matter,  by  obtruding  upon  them  a  false- 
hood. 

11.  May  you  not  see  this  testimony  which  christians 
give  to  the  way  of  godliness,  that  it  is  from  those  who  act 
deliberately  in  that  great  interest,  and  have  a  rational  ac- 
count to  give  of  the  grounds  on  which  they  walk  ?  Do  you 
not  find  they  are  men,  as  well  as  christians  ;  and  that  none 
are  more  friends  to  reason  and  the  right  exercise  thereof, 
than  such  who  are  most  serious  in  the  study  of  religion  ? 
It  is  sure,  could  the  world  have  their  sight,  and  with  Moses 
such  a  look  of  an  invisible  God,  it  would  be  easy  for  them  to 
be  of  their  judgment  also. 

12.  That  you  are  so  ready  to  challenge  the  christian's 
testimony,  may  you  not  find  the  true  cause  within  yourself; 
not  from  your  judgment,  but  a  rooted  prejudice  and  enmity 
at  the  way  of  the  Lord,  whereof  you  can  give  no  reason  ? 
Yea,  have  you  not  oft  reproached  christians  at  a  distance 
whom  upon  a  near  particular  acquaintance  you  have  from 
some  irresistible  conviction  left  upon  you,  been  forced  to 
justify  ?  For  godliness  hath  this  singular  advantage,  to  si- 
lence all  its  adversaries,  that  none  will  challenge  or  reproach 
the  same,  but  those  who  never  knew  it  :  and  should  such 
a  witness  be  admitted  ?  O  strange,  with  what  liberty  men 
can  deride  this,  who  yet  dare  not  go  alone  to  have  som-e 
serious  thoughts  about  it  ! 

13.  I  know  you  will  not  deny  there  is  such  a  thing  as 
hypocrisy  and  a  false  shew  of  godliness  ;  yet  sure  you  have 
no  ground  of  challenge,  or  to  question  the  truth  and  power 
of  this,  which  is  so  convincingly  witnessed  to,  even  by  hy- 
pocrisy ;  for  there  should  be  no  use  for  such  a  cover,  no 
cause  for  that  imposture,  if  there  were  not  also  a  truth  and 
reality  therein  you  cannot  conceive  a  counterfeit,  but  as  it 
stands  related  t:o  that  which  is  true.  If  there  were  not  such 
a  thing  as  serious  godliness,  the  world  could  never  have 
known  how  to  personate  it.  Could  there  be  a  lie,  if  there 
were  not  a  truth  ?  You  see  also  it  is  the  most  serious  dis- 
cerning christians,  that  such  usually  do  fear  and  have  an 
awful  regard  of  ;  for  which  there  were  no  ground,  if  they 
were  riot  conscious  of  the  truth  of  that  in  others,  whereof 
they  only  study  the  abearance :  yea,  here  I  must  also  ap- 
peal to  the  world  and  ordinary  observers,  if  there  be  not  even 
to  them,  some  discernible  difference  betwixt  the  power-  of 
religion,  and  an  empty  shew,  though  this  make  greater 
noise  ;  betwixt  those  who  are  serious  and  tender  in  follow- 
ing the  Lord,  and  others  who  glory  in  appearance,  $Ht  ivn 


96  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

in  heart ;  for  the  one  by  a  convincing  manifestation  of 
the  truth  does  commend  itself  to  men's  conscience,  hath  a 
living  air  and  breath,  which  by  no  art  or  cunning  can  be 
drawn  to  the  life,  no  more  than  an  exquisite  painter  with 
the  choicest  colours,  in  dra vying  a  dead  man,  can  therewith 
draw  the  vital  acts  of  breathing  and  moving. 

14.  May  you  not  see,  holiness  must  be  some  excellent 
thing,  which  hath  such  credit,  even  with  its  real  adversa- 
ries and  the  worst  of  men,  as  to  make  them  grasp  at  the 
appearance  and  shadow  of  that,  which  others  know,  they 
hate  the  power  and  practice  thereof !  And  here  I  would  ask 
the  world,  is  it  not  to  the  scripture  and  truth  thereof,  the 
experience  of  the  saints  bears  witness,  that  they  dp  indeed 
feel  and  prove  within  their  soul,  what  you  see  written  be- 
fore you,  in  this  blessed  record  ?  But  is  it  not  also  sure, 
that  nothing  is  more  directly  cross  and  opposite  to  the  scrip- 
ture, than  a- false  appearance,  and  shew  of  that  which  is 
not  real  ? 

15.  Can  you  debate  whether  there  are  such  christians  in 
the  world,  yea,  many  such,  whose  experience  does  witness 
the  truth  of  religion,  of  whom  it  must  be  said  (even  their 
enemies  being  judges  J  their  being  serious  in  that  way  and 
choice  thereof,  must  be  for  itself,  and  hath  no  outward  de- 
sign or  interest,  to  which  it  can  be  subservient,  whilst  in 
this  oft  they  run  the  greatest  hazard,  and  are  rendered  a 
prey  to  others  ?  O  must  it  not  be  a  marvellous  thing,  which 
hath  that  dominion  over  the  souls,  to  teach  men  the  prac- 
tice ol  self  denial ;  not  only  to  quit,  but  to  cheerfully  quit 
their  nearest  interest  to  smile  on  the  spoilers,  to  rejoice  in 
their  sufferings  and  reproaches,  to  forgive  wrongs,  and  take 
revenge  by  good  will !  this  is  indeed  above  nature,  and  is 
peculiar  to  Christianity,  which  can  also  turn  poison  to  an 
antidote  and  cure,  and  gain  by  its  greatest  losses. 

16.  You  may  see  what  different  sizes  are  amongst  the 
saints,  how  great  a  difference  also  betwixt  the  experiences 
of  one  and  another  :  some  made  to  witness  much  bitter- 
ness in  departing  from  God,  and  others  that  singular  ad- 
vantage in  drawing  near  to  him  ;  yea,  how  near  sometimes 
will  great  extremes  in  their  condition  border  with  other  ! 
At  a  strait  to  express  their  joy,  who  not  long  before  would 
have  thought  a  vent  to  their  grief  a  special  ease  :  O  must 
not  this  be  a  matter  of  reality  !  and  when  you  see  how 
much  these  amongst  themselves  do  thus  differ,  that  yet  all 
these  differences  meet  together  and  concur  in  a  most  clear 
testimony  to  the  scripture,  and  truth  of  godliness  ;  yea, 
how  this  wonderful  contrivance  of  the  scripture  is  suited  to 
answer  all  this  variety  of  changes  in  the  christian's  case, 
and  passcth  none  over  !. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  97 

But  oh,  what  can  be  said  here,  where  weeping  should 
be  more  fit  than  words,  to  see  what  contempt  the  greatest 
part  of  men  put  on  serious  religion,  which  doth  truly  raise 
diem  above  the  condition  of  the  beasts  !  Is  not  the  atheism 
of  the  time  at  that  height  that  we  must  say,  the  assault  of 
the  adversary  is  not  so  much  at  one  single  truth,  as  at  the 
root  and  being  of  all  religion  ?  And  truly  we  may  fear  some 
sharp  and  extraordinary  cure,  to  recover  this  generation,  of 
a  disease,  that  would  seem  in  an  ordinary  way  incurable. 
I  shall  but  further  offer  these  few  queries,  and  plead  so  far 
with  the  adversary,  that  they  would,  ere  they  pass  them, 
have  but  some  serious  thoughts  thereon. 

(1.)  If  there  be  a  God,  or  truth  in  any  religion,  is  it  not 
with  this  blessed  record  of  the  scripture  you  must  close, 
as  the  alone  rule  thereof?  yea,  if  your  judgment  and  con- 
science be  not  both  extinct,  must  you  not  consent  to  the 
law  and  doctrine  therein  held  forth,  that  it  is  good,  what- 
ever be  your  aversion  therefrom  ?  (2.)  Is  not  an  immortal 
soul  and  a  being  for  ever,  such  a  venture  as  is  of  mere  value, 
and  should  be  to  you,  than  the  whole  world  ?  (3.)  O  how 
can  you  be  thus  undetermined  about  so  great  an  interest  ? 
you  seem  to  be  hesitant  and  unsure,  if  there  be  another 
world,  a  heaven  or  a  hell :  but  oh,  are  you  sure  these  are 
not  ?  and  how  then  can  you  be  secured  from  such  a  fear, 
which  of  all  fears  is  the  greatest  ?  (4.)  What  a  horrid  and 
uncomfortable  thing  is  it  to  be  an  atheist,  which  gives  men 
no  hope  beyond  this  present  life  ?  Yea,  what  a  world  would 
this  be  to  dwell  in,  if  there  were  no  true  godlhiess  in  it,  since 
without  this,  no  comfortable  human  society,  no  kindly 
and  right  subjection  to  the  magistrate,  can  be  expected 
from  those,  who  have  no  tie  from  above,  and  know  not 
what  it  is  to  pay  homage  to  a  sovereign  being.  (5.)  Is  not 
the  native  tendency  of  atheism  to  all  ungodliness  in  men's 
practice  ?  yea,  how  far  doth  it  debase  human  nature,  and 
level  it  even  with  the  beasts  ?  (6.)  Whilst  you  scoff  at  se- 
rious religion,  I  dare  appeal  to  yourselves,  if  in  your  retire- 
ments when  you  have  any  sober  reflections,  you  are  not 
forced  to  have  other  thoughts  !  and  why  is  it,  you  so  much 
fear  to  go  alone,  and  be  in  any  measure  serious  with  your 
soul  ?  Oh  what  a  desperate  security  is  that  ! 

I  shall  only  add,  is  it  not  rare  to  find  a  professed  atheist, 
at  death,  when  once  the  approach  of  another  world  does 
awake  the  sense  of  a  Deity  ?  But  then  it  is  easy  to  see  men, 
who  have  sported  at  godliness  in  their  life,  weep  over  that 
wretched  mirth,  when  it  comes  to  death,  and  call  for  such 
ministers,  whom  once  they  hated  :  and  oh,  what  a  dread- 
ful cure  will  hell  be  of  atheism  !  for  there  they  know  the 

a  ■ 


98  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scrip  tufc. 

truth  in  earnest,  though  it  be  their  terror  ;  it  is  also  sure? 
the  devil  is  no  atheist,  who  believes  there  is  a  God  and 
trembles. 

I  must  yet  a  little  further  crave  liberty,  ere  I  pass  this 
argument,  to  speak  a  word  even  to  those  who  know  and 
have  experienced  the  same.  O  how  great  should  this  be 
in  our  eyes,  and  with  what  astonishment  may  we  consider 
it,  which  by  so  full,  so  satisfying  a  demonstration  doth  wit- 
ness, not  to  the  eye  or  ear,  but  to  the  soul,  the  certainty  of 
divine  truth,  and  the  power  and  reality  of  godliness  !  Should 
we  not  think,  if  there  were  but  one  in  an  age,  or  that  every 
particular  christian  were  but  once  at  some  solemn  time  of 
his  life,  tktk  confirmed,  that  he  could  say,  then  did  he  taste 
and  see  the  word,  and  found  it  surely  verified  on  his  soul, 
as  sure  as  he  knoweth  that  he  lives,  at  what  a  rate  would  he 
nalue  and  preserve  so  singular  a  seat  and  confirmation  of  the 
truth,  yea,  keep  up  the  remembrance  of  such  a  special  time 
whilst  he  iived  ?  But  oh,  must  it  be  said,  that  this  grave 
witness,  this  clear  demonstration  of  the  scripture  and  of  the 
certainty  of  the  words  of  truth,  which  we  have  by  experi- 
ence, doth  lose  its  weight,  and  the  inestimable  value  there- 
of  is  to  be  less  regarded,  that  it  is  the  christian's  daily 
bread  ?  O  what  a  reach  hath  this  argument ;  what  great 
things  are  there  held  forth  ?  I  think  a  serious  view  of  the 
same,  if  it  were  brought  near  to  us,  might  put  us  to  quest- 
ion, whether  we  believe  the  same,  or  not  ?  are  we  in  a 
dream,  or  awake  and  see  them  with  our  eyes,  which  this 
doth  so  convincingly  demonstrate  ?  whilst  we  can  so  easily 
pass  them,  with  so  little  weight  thereof  on  our  spirit.  Now 
to  hold  that  forth,  let  us  but  bring  near  this  argument,  and 
gravely  consider  the  same  with  respect  to  some  of  those 
great  truths,  which,  by  this  unanswerable  demonstration 
of  experience,  are  witnessed  :  I  must  say,  such  truths  that 
we  may  wonder  how  men  can  so  easily  admit  their  being 
true,  and  in  so  ordinary  a  way  look  thereon  without  won- 
dering and  astonishment. 

1.  Doth  not  this  argument  of  experience,  by  a  very  clear 
demonstration,  witness  that  great  truth  of  a  godhead,  where- 
on the  whole  superstructure  of  truth  and  godliness  doth 
stand  ?  yea,  in  another  manner  does  enforce  on  men  the 
persuasion  of  this  by  a  more  near  and  convincing  discovery, 
than  the  greatest  works  of  God,  or  these  glorious  appear- 
ances of  his  power  and  wisdom  in  the  heavens,  and  earth 
do  !  It  is  true,  these  bring  him  near  to  our  eye  and  ear  ; 
but  O  this  brings  the  blessed  and  invisible  God  nearer, 
into  the  heart  and  soul,  that  we  may  both  taste  and  see, 
that  surely  He  is,  and  is  that  which  in  the  scripture  he  is 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  99 

declared  to  be.  It  is  not  the  contemplation  of  nature, 
in  its  highest  flight,  can  answer  such  an  assault  of  the  devil, 
which  may  exercise  the  most  established  christian  about 
the  being  of  God  ;  but  there  is  a  demonstration  within, 
which  goes  further  than  the  judgment,  and  passeth  natural 
understanding  ;  whence  we  feel,  we  taste,  we  enjoy,  yea, 
his  voice  is  heard  in  the  soul,  which  we  surely  know  to  be 
his,  and  this  is  the  reach  and  import  of  this  argument. 
There  is  indeed  cause  to  wonder  at  the  atheism  of  the 
world,  since  men  can  look  no  where  without  some  witness 
of  a  deity,  to  stare  them  in  the  face  ;  but  oh,  there  is  a  more 
refined  atheism,  that  lies  in  the  bosom  of  a  professed  us  sent 
to  divine  truth,  and  is  not  easily  discerned.,  though  not  the 
less  dreadful  that  it  goes  under  a  cover,  not  only  from  the 
view  of  others,  but  even  from  a  man's  self.  I  would  here 
offer  some  things,  which  do  witness  a  special  advantage  the 
godly  man  is  at  thereby  to  believe,  and  to  be  more  thorough- 
ly persuaded  of  the  glorious  being,  of  God.  (  (1.)  That  he 
iinds  the  believing  of  this  is  a  very  great  thing,  and  not  so 
easy  to  reach,  as  the  world  do  suppose.  For  it  is  no  small 
matter  even  to  attain  this  :  Oh,  what  ordinary  thoughts 
have  many  about  it,  who  think  it  easy  to  pass  an  assent  to 
this  marvellous  truth,  because  they  never  considered  the 
greatness  thereof  ;  but  it  is.  sure,  the  more  serious  and 
grave  a  christian  is,  it  will  give  him  the  more  work,  and  we 
may  find  these  usually  are  more  plunged  and  exercised 
about  this,  than  others.  (2.)  It  is  a  great  advantage,  when 
this  is  so  far  men's  serious  study,  as  to  be  upon  an  inquiry 
after  a  further  establishment  in  so  great  a  truth  ;  O  what 
another  sight  of  the  invisible  God  ?  What  a  satisfying  per- 
suasion of  his  blessed  being  might  we  have,  if  our  souls 
were  indeed  herein  exercised  ;  and  knew  but  how  little  we 
know  and  have  reached  in  this,  that  there  is  a  nearer  ap- 
proach to  God,  which  should  shew  us,  the  fa'uh  of  a  deity 
is  something  beyond  those  former  thoughts  we  have  had 
thereof !  We  lose  many  singular  confirmations  about  this, 
because  we  do  not  in  earnest  look  after  them.  (3.)  They 
are  at  a  special  advantage  to  whom  believinng  of  this  truth 
(O  blessed  truth,  tliat  God  is)  is  their  exceeding  joy,  and 
amidst  tjiejr  heaviness  can  say,  the  thought  and  meditation 
of  him  is  sweet  ;  that  when  through  a  variety  of  tempta- 
tions they  are  ready  to  faint,  this  restoieth  their  soul,  yea, 
will  cause  it  to  leap  within  for  joy  ;  and  is  there  enough 
when  other  encouragements  are  furthest  oif,  that  God  lives  ! 
O  what  a  thing  is  it  in  such  a  world,  and  in  some  deep  per- 
plexing plunge,  to  know  that  the  Lord  is  God,  whom  he 
hath  now  for  a  rock  and  a  shield,  and  in  the  close  of  time 


100  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

for  Bis  exceeding  great  reward  !  Can  we  have  serious 
thoughts  of  this,  and  so  easily  turn  ourselves  to  other  things 
without  astonishment !  yea,  is  it  not  strange,  there  should 
be  oft  so  near  and  immediate  a  bordering  betwixt  our 
thoughts  of  the  glorious  God  and  the  meanest  trifle.  (4.) 
It  is  no  small  advantage,  where  men  can  open  the  bible  and 
retire  into  it,  under  the  sense  and  impression  of  a  godhead, 
and  that  near  correspondence  he  hath  this  way  with  his  peo- 
ple ;  on  whose  soul  these  words  have  awe  and  authority, 
Thus  saith  the  Lord  ;  yea,  have  that  repose  upon  his  testi- 
mony and  promise,  which  the  solid  persuasion  of  his  be 
and  faithfulness  should  cause.  (5.)  They  have  come  a 
great  length  here,  that  in  their  ordinary  walk  are  under  some 
weight  and  impression  of  this  that  God  is  near  ;  who  knows 
their  sitting  down  and  rising  up  ;  from  whose  sight  they 
cannot  shift  one  thought  ;  yea,  that  on  him  they  have  such 
an  absolute  dependence,  that  without  him  they  cannot  draw 
their  breath.  O  where  this  is  believed,  must  it  not  cause 
both  fear  and  wondering  ? 

2.  Is  not  this  an  argument,  which  by  a  sure  and  unan- 
swerable demonstration  doth  witness  the  truth  and  reality 
of  grace  that  there  is  such  a  thing,  and  is  no  empty  sound, 
which  doth  raise  man  above  the  natural  state  of  men,  as 
far  as  reason  puts  him  above  the  state  of  the  beast  !  It  is 
truly  strange,  this  should  be  believed,  and  yet  is  not  more 
marvellous  in  our  eyes,  how  we  can  be  at  such  rest,  whilst 
one  of  these  two  lies  under  debate,  the  reality  of  grace,  or 
our  being  really  interested  therein.  O  is  there  not  cause 
of  astonishment,  that  such  a  product  of  heaven  should  be 
found  in  the  earth,  whose  descent  and  original  is  so  clearly 
demonstrated  by  its  breathing  upwards  after  God,  its  na- 
tive tendency  and  motion  towards  him,  whence  it  came? 
Surely  grace  is  a  great  subjectto  think  on  ;  and  that  it  is 
not  so  in  our  eyes,  it  must  be  either  because  we  do  not  be- 
lieve it,  or  do  not  consider  what  a  change  it  makes  on  the 
soul,  which  is  no  transient  disposition,  but  the  seed  of  God 
that  remains.  Is  not  this  such  a  thing  as  makes  spring  in 
the  winter,  causeth  men  to  grow  under  their  greatest 
weights,  lifts  the  soul  up  from  the  clay,  yea,  does  by 
bringing  it  low  in  its  own  eyes,  raise  it  nearer  God  ?  This 
makes  a  man  to  have  another  appearance,  on  which  the 
world  is  forced  to  look  with  some  astonishment.  One  christ- 
ian doth  admire  this  in  another  ;  and  the  more  it  shews  it- 
self, it  causeth  a  more  near  approach  betwixt  their  souls. 
It  will  cause  fear  in  them  who  hate  it,  and  hath  a  power 
even  over  its  persecutors.  Now  it  is  the  truth  and  reality 
of  this  excellent  thing,  that  this  argument  does  witness; 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  101 

yea  such  a  witness  that  can  admit  no  debate,  where  expe- 
rience makes  it  sure  :  I  confess  a  serious  view  and  persua- 
sion of  this  might  make  the  -christian'' s  life  a  continued 
wonder  ;  that  there  is  such  a  thing,  which  by  a  marvellous 
surprisal  did  prevent  him  when  he  was  not  aware,  hath  en- 
tered him  into  a  new  world,  and  translated  him  from  a  state 
of  darkness  unto  a  marvellous  light,  causeth  the  soul  to 
breathe  in  another  air,  brings  him  so  near  that  state  of  the 
angels;  subdues  the  will  without  violence,  and  subjects 
it  with  its  own  consent  ;  yea,  by  so  strait  a  tie  is  linked 
with  an  eternal  glory  and  blessedness  !  surely  this  is  one 
of  the  most  stately  pieces  of  the  work  of  God;  that  exceeds 
the  whole  structure  of  the  universe.  O  with  what  aston- 
ishment should  we  look  on  this  marvellous  thing,  if  we 
could  consider  the  whole  frame  and  structure  of  the  grace 
of  God  in  a  christian,  and  there  make  as  it  were  a  dissec- 
tion in  its  several  parts  and  proportions,  its  decay  and  lan- 
guishing, its  different  changes  and  sizes,  its  vigorousactings 
and  abatements  ;  how  it  breathes,  is  nourished,  is  kept 
green  and  preserved  by  a  continued  intercourse  with  the 
fountain  of  its  being  !  and  lo,  whilst  we  consider  this  great 
wonder,  both  in  the  whole  and  in  its  parts,  we  may  see  how 
in  these  it  does  most  exactly  answer  that  model  wTe  have 
thereof  in  the  scripture  of 'God. 

3.  This  is  a  great  argument,  and  should  be  so  in  our 
eyes,  which  does  not  only  witness  the  reality  of  grace  in  its 
acting  and  exercise  (which  in  this  former  section  is  spe- 
cially pointed  at)  but  does  unanswerably  demonstrate  a 
spiritual  life  and  being,  which  the  christian  knows  and  is 
persuaded  thereof,  as  he  is  sure  he  breathes  and  hath  a  na- 
tural life !  O  what  a^  marvellous  demonstration  is  this, 
wherein  sense  and  feeling  doth  in  as  certain  a  way  concur, 
as  in  any  discovery  we  have  by  our  outward  senses,  that 
there  is  a  new  life  and  another  being,  (besides  that  we  have 
by  nature)  which  answers  to  a  new  birth;  yea,  another 
breathing  and  acting,  that  is  also  suited  thereto  !  but  oh, 
can  it  be  said,  we  believe  and  know  it  is  assuredly  true, 
who  have  such  common  and  passing  thoughts  thereof,  and 
do  not  consider  what  it  is  whereof  we  are  sure  !  (1.)  That 
this  is  so  great  a  thing  ;  it  may  indeed  cause  wonder,  to 
think  we  are  men.,  and  that  we  have  a  rational  being  :  but 
O  !  a  spiritual  life  is  another  cause  for  wondering,  which 
comes  not  by  our  birth,  hath  no  natural  causes,  yet  a  life 
that  hath  its  proper  operation,  and  vital  acts  put  forth,  as 
truly  as  these  natural  actions  of  breathing  and  moving  are 
put  forth,  by  a  living  man  ;  a  life  that  hath  in  as  sensible  a 
way  quickening  and  refreshing  influences,  as  the  earth  or 


102  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

bodies  of  men  know  the  influences  of  the  heavens;  which 
hath  a  pleasure  and  delight  peculiar  to  its  nature,  that  hath 
no  affinity  with  things  we  enjoy  by  the  senses,  but  is  a  pleas- 
ure that  far  exceeds  the  same  !  and  is  this  a  small  matter 
to  be  persuaded  of?  (2.)  What  a  demonstration  is  it, 
which  doth  witness  even  to  our  sense  and  feeling  a  power 
on  the  soul  by  the  word,  above  the  most  persuasive  words  of 
man,  and  above  all  moral  influences ;  by  which  men  are  not 
only  reached,  but  transformed  into  the  same  image;  whence 
the  christian  knows,  and  knows  assuredly,  those  great 
truths,  the  sealing,  witnessing,  teaching,  comforting  of  the 
spirit,  &c.  are  no  matter  of  words,  or  some  strange  devised 
names,  but  are  undoubted  realities  acted  and  verified  on  the 
soul.  (3.)  If  this  demonstration  of  a  spiritual  life  be  sure, 
have  we  not  thus  also  an  eternal  life  and  being  with  God  put 
beyond  debate  ?  for,  if  we  be  certain  of  the  one,  O  is  not 
this  undeniable,  that  this  noble  being  of  the  new  creature, 
this  life  that  is  here  begun,  must  have  a  more  full  growth, 
and  be  at  the  furthest  stature  of  the  man  in  Christ ;  when 
we  now  see  it  with  our  eyes  in  its  infancy,  and  upon  a 
growing  advance  towards  the  same  ?  for  the  one  is  surely 
as  demonstrative  of  the  other,  as  a  young  child  which  we 
see  in  a  growing  tendency  towards  a  man,  doth  shew  there 
is  a  man  in  his  furthest  growth.  (4.)  If  we  assuredly  know 
this  spiritual  life,  must  we  not  also  admit  the  undoubted 
truth  of  spiritual  beings,  and  of  an  invisible  world,  with 
which  this  life  hath  its  correspondence ;  yea,  thus  as  by 
a  stream  be  led  up  to  the  true  fountain,  to  know  an  invisible 
God! 

A.  How  great  an  argument  is  this,  which  gives  us  sucli 
a  demonstration,  that  heaven  is  not  altogether  deferred  until 
wc  be  there,  but  that  such  a  thing  is  sure  now,  as  the  real 
presence  of  the  glorious  God,  and  a  near  familiar  approach  of 
him  to  the  soul,  which  is  here  as  really  felt  and  enjoyed,  as 
we  can  be  sure  cf  any  thing?  O  how  marvellous  should 
this  be  to  us  !  I  cannot  doubt  but  the  report  hereof  does 
sometime  dazzle  the  world  with  amazement,  and  puts  the 
grossest  of  men  to  strange  thoughts.  But  oh,  may  not  this 
make  them  question  its  reality,  whether  those  that  bear 
such  a  witness  do  truly  feel  and  enjoy  the  same,,  who  by 
their  way  and  appearance  do  so  little  declare  any  deep  im- 
pression, that  this  hath  on  them  !  I  have  sometimes  thought 
it  strange,  how  men  are  taken  even  in  a  kind  of  transport 
with  the  discovery  of  some  rare  experiment  and  demonstra- 
tion in  nature,  which  could  make  that  poor  man  cry  out 
eyphka,  as  though  therewith  he  had  gained  the  whole 
canh  !  but  Ohere  is  another  kind  of  demonstration,  of  a 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  103 

more  transcendent  value  and  interest !  to  know  and  he 
sure  of  this  near  approach  and  intercourse  betwixt  God 
and  the  soul ;  that  even  with  men  in  the  earth  he  will  veri- 
ly dwell,  and  have  so  real  a  converse  ;  this  does  indeed 
rise  above  Archimedes*  reach,  and  such  who  ever  followed 
the  search  of  nature  in  their  most  exact  and  subtile  inqui- 
ry. O  blessed  souls,  who  have  found  it  !  for  they  have 
found  a  treasure  ;  the  thoughts  whereof  may  make  it  a  new 
thing  every  day,  and  make  them  consider  this  with  a  re- 
newed wondering,  to  know,  there  is  not  only  a  claim  and 
title  to  the  inheritance  above,  but  that  the  first  fruits  and 
earnest  thereof  is  got  here  ;  that  as  surely  as  there  is  a 
real  and  immediate  converse  betwixt  men,  they  have  found 
such  a  near  immediate  fellowship  with  God,  that^  all  the 
words  of  the  world  cannot  express  ;  such  a  meeting  be- 
twixt him  and  them,  where  their  soul  hath  been  drawn 
out  with  desire,  Where  they  have  found  a  breaking  up  of 
the  day  with  an  astonishing  brightness,  after  a  most  cloudy 
and  dark  night ;  O  is  not  this  a  great  thing  !  have  they  not 
cause  both  for  joy  and  wondering,  who  have  fallen  on  such 
an  experiment,  that  they  can  say  (and  not  from  report)  I 
do  surely /<?<?/ 1  enjoy,  I  am  persuaded  this  is  the  Lord  ;  and 
thus  have  come  forth  from  him  with  such  a  change  on 
their  soul,  and  composure  of  mind,  that  even  bystanders 
might  see  where  they  have  been  !  Now  this  is  the  christ- 
ian's witness,  which  all  who  are  serious  in  the  way  of  the 
Lord,  can  in  some  measure  bear,  that  in  a  way  no  less  sure 
and  demonstrative  than  any  thing  here  beneath  can  be 
known,  they  have  had  such  a  discovery  :  and  now  these 
strange  scripture  truths,  the  meaning  whereof  once  they 
could  not  know  (such  as,  to  have  their  soul  melting  within 
at  the  voice  of  their  beloved,  to  have  his  name  as  ointment 
poured  forth,  and  be  brought  near  to  sec  his  face  with  joy  J 
they  know  well  that  they  are  as  truly  verified  on  the  heart, 
as  they  are  written  before  their  eyes  in  the  word.  2  shall 
but  add,  it  is  a  very  great  thing  these  know,  who  know  as- 
suredly the  real  presence  of  God  here;  for  thus  they  are 
made  sure  that  he  is,  as  one  may  know  the  sun,  when  he 
feels  its  warming  heat,  and  when  he  sees  it  with  its  own 
light  :  thus  they  are  confirmed  of  the  truth  of  the  scripture, 
whilst  they  see  and  feel  one  of  the  most  marvellous  things 
therein  verified. 

5.  This  is  an  argument  that  does  clearly  witness  a  truth 
and  reality  in  prayer ;  which  may  be  called  one  of  the 
great  wonders  of  religion  :  that  such  a  way  is,  wherein 
there  is  so  near,  so  immediate  an  address  to  the  majesty  of 
God  in  all  our  concernments^  is  not  this  a  very  great  tlmg^ 


104  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture, 

that  poor  man,  now  upon  the  earth,  hath  such  a  passage  to 
heaven,  and  may  speak  up  unto  him  who  inhabits  eternity, 
the  glorious  object  of  the  adoration  of  angels,  without  the 
intervening  of  any  creature  :  yea,  with  so  sure  a  warrant 
may  approach  the  throne  of  God,  and  there  pour  out  his 
soul,  and  present  his  requests  unto  him  who  lives  and  sees! 
O  with  what  astonishment  should  we^  consider  this  !  sup- 
pose at  some  solemn  times  in  our  life  this  only  might  be  at- 
tained, yea,  that  it  were  but  in  one  part  of  the  earth,  should 
we  not  look  on  the  whole  earth  besides  as  accursed  ;  and 
reckon  an  abode  there,  were  it  a  barren  desert  and  wilder- 
ness, to  be  preferable  to  all  other  advantages  !  It  may  truly 
be  a  question,  whilst  we  are  most  in  the  practice  of  this  du- 
ty, if  we  believe  the  truth  and  reality  thereof :  but  it  is  be- 
yond question,  what  christians  have  most  sensibly  found 
here,  that  they  can  say,  if  they  be  sure  they  have  a  soul, 
they  have  been  as  sure,  in  this  blessed  way,  they  have  had 
their  soul  restored  and  returned  again  ;  and  under  some  de- 
liquium,  that  by  wrestling  they  have  at  last  prevailed  ;  yea, 
have  got  an  answer  from  heaven,  as  if  they  had  got  it  by  an 
audible  voice.  Now  is  not  this  a  great  and  marvellous  de- 
monstration ! 

But  oh  what  common  thoughts  have  we  thereof!  and 
may  not  these  things  seem  strange,  if  seriously  consider- 
ed !  (1.)  That  we  are  not  more  restless,  to  be  surely  per- 
suaded, this  is  a  truth,  when  we  are  so  highly  concerned 
therein  ;  that  we  may  have  further  confirmations  about  this* 
which  we  should  look  on  as  an  inestimable  treasure,  both 
for  our  joy  and  establishment.  (2.)  It  is  strange,  we  can 
find  it  so  easy  a  matter  to  pray  and  appear  before  Gon  ; 
that  we  are  not  afraid,  to  be  hasty  in  uttering  a  matter  be- 
fore him,  whilst  we  consider  God  is  in  heaven,  and  we  are 
but  on  the  earth  !  It  is  sure,  if  we  intend  the  bringing  of  our 
soul  with  us  in  such  a  duty,  it  should  be  more  our  study  to 
watch  unto  prayer,  throughout  our  walk.  (3.)  It  may 
seem  strange,  how  easily  we  can  step  out  from  the  world 
and  the  noise  thereof,  in  before  the  Lord,  without  the  least 
pause  or  time  intervening,  which  theimpression  of*  so  great 
a  business  should  require  ;  yea,  so  immediately,  in  our  re- 
turn, again  step  into  the  world,  as  if  we  had  wholly  forgot 
where  we  have  been.  (4.)  How  strange  is  formality  in 
such  a  business  as  prayer ;  which  is  an  address  to  the 
living  God,  one  of  the  most  solemn  acts  of  the  soul ;  yea, 
Ave  may  call  it  the  most  natural  work  of  a  christian^  like 
the  breathing  of  the  child  after  the  breast.  Alas,  it  is  sad, 
that  this  seems  rather  a  piece  of  invention  many  times, 
dian  a  matter  of  earnest  with  the  Lord;  not  so  much  the 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  105 

breathing  of  the  soul  in  desire  after  him,  as  the  expressing 
what  should  be  our  desires.  O  to  what  a  class  can  such  a 
piece  of  atheism  be  reduced,  as  appears  in  our  formal  ap- 
proaches to  God  ?  (5.)  Should  we  look  on  prayer  as  a 
duty,  and  not  consider  it  as  a  singular  enjoyment  also ; 
without  which  this  earth  would  have  a  near  appearance  of 
hell,  if  we  could  not  thus  solace  the  soul  in  God,  and  get 
a  vent  under  its  greatest  pressures  ?  O  prayer  !  what 
thoughts  should  we  have  of  it,  if  the  truth  thereof  were 
more  believed  !  I  think,  that  man  who  is  sure  of  the  being 
and  faithfulness  of  God,  and  of  the  reality  of  prayer,  needs 
not  be  solicitous  with  what  face  the  world  look  on 
him  ;  when  thus  his  great  interest  and  encouragement  is 
secure,  and  a  well  is  at  his  hand,  that  can  answer  all  his 
complaints. 

6.  Have  we  not  this  demonstration  also  by  that  argu- 
ment of  experience,  how  near  the  blessed  majesty  of  God 
does  in  the  way  of  providence  approach  to  his  people,  and 
is  surely  known  by  a  real  correspondence  he  hath  with  them 
in  this  way,  in  which  he  does  so  clearly  verify  his  word, 
holds  forth  light  and  counsel,  and  gives  the  return  of  pray- 
er, sometimes  with  such  remarkable  circumstances,  as 
causeth  fear  as  well  as  joy,  and  will  force  that  testimony, 
This  is  verily  the  Lord  !  It  is  true,  that  in  the  smallest 
things  God  is  great,  and  thus  declares  himself  to  be  God  : 
but  there  is  a  more  solemn  and  near  approach,  by  some 
special  steps  of  his  providence  :  yea,  by  the  rod  he  doth 
sometimes  speak,  as  with  an  audible  voice,  and  with  such 
a  convoy  of  his  power  opens  the  ears  of  men  and  seals  their 
instruction,  as  will  force  its  passage  down  to  the  reins,  and 
in  the  hidden  part  cause  them  to  understand  wisdom. 
There  is  sometime  also  so  wonderful  a  tract  and  scries  of 
providences,  and  these  so  convincing,  that  men  cannot  but 
see  something  greater  than  man  therein,  whilst  things  have 
been  attended  with  such  zsurprisal,  in  the  very  opportune 
time  and  season,  that  their  mercy,  though  great  in  it- 
self, hath  not  so  much  taken  them  up,  as  the  way 
how  it  is  brought  about,  and  their  discovery  of  the  im- 
mediate hand  of  God  therein,  and  the  truth  of  his  word  and 
promise. 

7.  I  must  further  add,  O  !  is  not  this  a  great  argument, 
which  persuades  the  soul  of  these  truths  by  so  sure  a  way 
as  experience,  that  thus  we  have  an  inward  and  se?isible  de- 
monstration of  the  things  of  God,  that  are  as  certainly  wit- 
nessed, as  these  visible  heavens  and  earth  are  to  our  eyes, 
when  they  are  most  fixed  thereon  !  O  what  is  this,  which 
the  christian  knows,  yet  knows  so  little  what  he  hath 


106  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

thereby  !  this  is  indeed  a  sight,  which  puts  the  thing  seea 
beyond  question  or  debate  ;  for  the  soul  hath  its  feeling 
and  taste,  as  sure  as  the  body ;  and  hath  a  savour  and  relish 
of  things  suitable  to  its  own  nature,  whereby  it  can  discern 
a  peculiar  sweetness  and  fragrancy,  in  that  which  may  seem 
bitter  and  grievous  to  the  fleshy  It  is  by  this  sight  which 
experience  gives,  that  the  christian  is  a  witness  himself  is 
therein  personally  concerned,  does  see  these  great  things 
with  his  <yu?n  eyes,  and  not  with  the  eyes  of  others  ;  the 
consolations  of  God,  which  are  not  small,  are  no  matter  of 
ref>ort  to  him  ;  he  knows  how  no  mercy  hath  been  more 
sweet  and  relishing,  than  that  which  hath  had  a  bitter  cross 
going  before  :  yea,  never  more  sensibly  found  his  own  bur- 
den, than  he  had  found  it  taken  off ;  the  laying  on  whereof 
was  not  so  grievous  as  that  relief  and  ease  hadi  been  sweet 
upon  its  removal. 

Now  to  shut  up  this  argument,  I  shall  but -add  the  testi- 
mony of  two  great  and  eminent  witnesses  to  the  truth  ;  who 
after  they  had  been  helped  to  serve  their  generation  by  the 
will  of  God,  and  were  dying,  had  a  large  account  to  give 
from  their  experience  of  the  truth  and  faithfulness  of  Goi; 
in  his  word,  and  have  left  a  seal  to  the  same,  worthy 
to  be  transmitted  to  posterity.  The  one  is  that  great 
servant  of  Christ,  Beza  ;  who  in  his  younger  years, 
after  the  Lord  had  touched  his  heart  by  the  word,  was 
one  day  in  the  church  of  Charentony  exercised  with  that 
91  st  Psalm,  which  then  was  expounded,  and  with  such 
power  was  followed,  that  not  only  he  found  it  marvel- 
lously sweet  to  him  at  present,  but  was  then  helped 
to  believe,  yea,  to  a  great  persuasion  of  the  Lord's 
making  out  all  these  promises  to  him  in  his  persuasion, 
which  as  he  after  found  verified,  did  at  his  death  with  much 
comfort  witness  the  same;  that  as  he  had  been  then  help- 
ed to  close  with  that  great  truth  in  the  second  verse, 
in  taking  the  Lord  for  his  God,  and  got  a  sure  claim 
thereto,  yea,  that  he  should  be  his  refuge  and  fortress, 
lie  had  found  him  that  most  remarkably  in  the  after 
changes  of  his  life ;  that  he  had  delivered  him  from  the 
snare  of  the  fowler  and  the  noisome  pestilence,  having  been 
in  frequent  hazard  by  the  lying  in  wait  of  many  to  ensnare 
him,  and  sometimes  was  in  great  hazard  from  the  pesti- 
lence in  those  places  where  he  was  called  to  reside  ;  yea, 
amidst  the  civiUvars,  which  were  then  so  hot  in  France, 
had  most  convincing  deliverances  from  many  imminent 
hazards,  when  he  was  called  to  be  present  sometimes 
with  the  protestant  princes  upon  the  fields,  where  thous- 
ands did  fall  about  him;  and  thus  whilst  near  his  death. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  107 

lie  found  that  Psalm  so  observably  verified ,  whereon  he 
was  caused  to  hope,  that  he  went  through  all  these  prom- 
ises, declaring  the  comfortable  accomplishment  thereof, 
and  how  he  had  found  the  Lord's  giving  bis  angels  charge 
over  him,  had  oft  answered  him  when  he  had  called  on 
him,  had  been  with  him  in  trouble,  delivered  him  ;  yea, 
had  satisfied  him  nvith  a  long  life.  And  now,  says  he,  I 
have  no  more  to  wait  for,  but  the  fulfilling  of  that  last  word 
of  the  Psalm,  to  shew  him  his  salvation,  for  which  in  con- 
fidence he  longed.  This,  though  not  writ  by  those  who 
have  given  an  account  of  his  life  in  our  language  ;  yet  I 
had  the  same  from  those  most  worthy  of  credit,  who  not 
only  from  some  of  the  greatest  French  protestants  had  it, 
when  they  were  in  France,  as  a  known  and  sure  passage, 
but  told  me  they  read  die  same  there  in  a  printed  relation 
in  that  language,  about  his  life  and  death. 

The  2d.  testimony  I  shall  here  offer,  is  from  a  grave  and 
eminent  minister  of  Christ  in  our  own  church  within  these 
few  years,  Mr.  George  Gillespie  ;  who  near  his  death 
did  declare  to  those  who  were  by,  what  a  large  proof  he 
had,  and  assured  persuasion  of  the  truth  of  the  scripture 
from  experience  ;  that  he  knew  so  well  wliat  adventuring 
on  the  word  was,  and  what  it  was  to  live  on  divine  assist- 
ance, and  be  thus  in  all  his  concernments  carried  through, 
that  he  could  not  desire,  were  he  to  live  in  the  wo&ld,  a 
more  desirable  and  satisfying  life,  than  that  of  a  continued 
reliance  and  depending  on  the  Lord  :  and  truly  amongst 
many  notable  experiments  that  man  of  God  had  there- 
of, this  was  one  very  convincing,  how  in  a  strange  land, 
whither  he  was  called  on  the  service  of  the  church,  and  in 
a  grave  assembly  of  many  of  the  greatest  divines  in  that 
age,  when  one  day  he  was  surprised  with  an  unexpected 
rencounter  of  a  learned  man,  Mr.  Selden,  who  came  on 
design,  with  some  others  of  that  party  upon  the  Eras  dan 
interest,  to  debate  for  it,  by  the  strongest  arguments  which 
they  had  then  premeditated  for  its  defence  ;  whilst  none 
appeared  in  that  great  assembly  to  give  a  return,  though 
there  were  many  singularly  learned  and  able,  he  did  on  an 
immediate  reliance  on  God  adventure  (lest  the  adversary 
should  take  advantage  thereat)  and  gave  a  short  account  of 
those  arguments  adduced,  wherein  the  strength  of  his  dis- 
course did  most  lie,  with  so  clear  and  satisfying  an  answer 
as  astonished  all  ;  yea,  did  silence  the  adversary,  with  a 
marvellous  conviction.  Now  this  was  the  more  convinc- 
ing, that  having  a  little  paper  book  in  his  hand,  in  which  lie 
was  before  observed  to  write  down  something,  he  was  by 
some  after  pressed  to  let  them  see  his  notes,  supposing  the 


108  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

heads  of  his  following  discourse  were  in  it,  but  found  only 
in  some  pages  these  words  several  times  writ  clown, 
•Light,  0  Lord,  and  assistance,  his  soul  being  then  carried 
upward  for  the  same.  Thus  did  that  blessed  man  give  in 
his  witness  to  the  truth,  when  he  was  dying,  from  the  sure 
experience  he  had  thereof,  through  his  life  ;  and  with 
much  assurance  of  the  salvation  of  God,  died.  Which,  I 
must  say,  is  a  remark,  that  in  many  instances  might  be 
obvious  ;  how  great  peace  and  an  abundant  entrance r 
those  liave  found  in  the  close  of  the  day,  who  have  been 
helped  to*nost  faith  fulness  in  the  public  interests  of  Christ 
and  his  c'mrch,  and  to  the  most  severe  adherence  to  their 
light,  about  the  duties  of  the  time  ;  which  I  knew  in  an- 
other worthy  minister  of  Christ,  not  many  years  since, 
who  by  some  of  his  last  words  did  witness  an  inexpressible 
joy  he  found  in  this,  that  the  Lord  had  kept  him  in  a  time 
of  many  trials,  from  giving  his  ark  a  wrong  touch  ;  which 
he  then  declared  to  standers  by,  when  he  was  on  the  very 
threshold  betwixt  this  and  another  world, 

THE    SECOND    ARGUMENT. 

Our  SECOND  Argument,  to  demonstrate  the  accomplish- 
vient  of  the  scripture,  is  this,  that  not  only  christian  ex- 
perience, but  the  observation  of  the  church  and  people 
of  God,  doth  in  all  ages  bear  witness  thereto,  how  the 
Lord^s  way  in  these  providences  both  of  mercy  and  judg- 
ment, about  the  church,  amidst  the  'various  changes ,  of 
her  condition,  yea,  in  the  most  strange  things  which  fatt 
out  in  the  world,  doth  convincingly  answer  the  word,  and 
verify  the  same. 

IT  is  indeed  undeniable  that  the  scripture  of  God,  as  it 
is  written  to  the  personal  case  of  his  people,  and  doth  in 
their  experience  take  place  ;  so  is  there  a  part  of  it  in  a  pe- 
culiar way  directed  to  the  church,  the  fulfilling  whereof  in 
the  providences  and  events  of  the  time  should  be  the  sub- 
ject of  our  observation,  and  would  singularly  help  to  con- 
firm our  faith  of  the  truth  thereof. 

For  prosecuting  this  argument  I  would  touch  it  a  little 
in  these  three  branches. 

1.  How  these  general  promises,  which  belong  to  the 
church  universal,  and  concern  her  in  all  ages,  have  an  ac- 
complishment. 

2.  How  these  threaienings  also  of  the  word,  which  do 
not  only  concern  the  church,  but  have  a  respect  to  her 
adversaries,  are  certainly  fulfilled,  and  take  place' in  men's 
observation,  who  do  observe  the  judgments  of  their  time. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  109 

3.  How  the  scripture  of  God  doth  clearly  shine  upon 
the  darkest  footsteps  of  Providence,  even  these  which 
would  seem  most  strange  and  hard  to  understand,  so  that 
it  may  be  demonstrated  nothing  falleth  out  in  the  world, 
or  befalleth  the  saints,  but  what  is  most  consonant  to  the 
scripture. 

First  Branch.  As  to  the  first  branch  of  this  argument, 
I  shall  but  instance  five  general  promises,  which  we  find 
held  forth  in  the  word  concerning  the  church  !  and  en- 
deavour to  shew  how  very  clear  and  obvious  the  accom- 
plishment of  them  is,  if  men  do  not  willingly  shut  their 
own  eyes. 

First  promise,  wherein  we  find  the  scripture  express,  is 
the  preservation  of  the  church  ;  that  he  will  be  with  her  to 
the  end  of  the  world,  and  though  he  make  an  end  of  other 
nations,  yet,  will  he  not  make  an  utter  end  of  her,  but  while 
the  ordinances  of  the  sun,  and  the  moon  do  last,  and  as 
the  days  of  heaven,  so  shall  her  days  be  prolonged ;  against 
her  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevad.  Jer.  xxx.  11.  Mat. 
xvi.  18.  Now  that  God  hath  truly  verified  this  his  prom- 
ise, and  is  as  good  as  his  word,  is  a  truth,  though  marvel- 
lous, yet,  so  very  clear,  and  manifest,  that  I  am  sure  no 
atheist  can  deny,  it  may  be  so  easily  demonstrated. 

1.  That  the  church  doth  continue,  and  is  kept  alive  to 
this  day,  it  doth  certainly  prove  the  truth  of  his  promise. 
For  it  can  be  said  of  her,  and  none  can  say  it  is  a  lie,  she 
hath  outlived  all  her  opposers,  the  greatest  of  whom  have 
found  their  grave  in  the  quarrel,  over  whose  tomb  that  las* 
confession  of  a  great  adversary,  Jidian,vc\^y  be  written, 
mchti  tandem,  Galiloze  !  Hath  not  this  deadly  and  irrecon- 
cilable seed  been  perpetuated  from  fathers  to  children  !  but 
who  hath  prospered  in  that  enterprise  !  the  archers  ^  have 
oft  shot,  and  wounded  her  sore,  but  her  bow  doth  abide  in 
strength,  as  at  this  day,  this  is  her  motto,  Persecuted,  but 
?wt  forsaken  ;  cast  down,  but  not  destroyed.  She  who 
hath  brought  many  children,  yet  ceascth  not  to  bear, 
whose  age  hath  not  marred  her  beauty,  her  eyes  are  not 
dim,  nor  her  strength  failed  ;  a  sight  which  may  cause  us 
no  less  to  stand  and  consider  this  great  wonder,  than  Moses 
did,  at  that  which  was  but  the  shadow  and  emblem  there- 
of, a  bush  burning,  and  not  consumed.  For,  behold,  a 
church  kept  alive,  yet  still  in  the  flames  !  and  when  to  ap- 
pearance consumed,  it  doth  arise  more  glorious  out  of  her 
own  ashes  !  This  is  indeed  the  only  Phoenix,  and  we 
know  no  other,  of  whom  that  can  be  said.  Hath  she  not 
borne  out  those  universal  deluges,  which  did  like  an  inun- 
dation go  over  her  head,  of  idolatry  and  paganism  in  the 


1 10  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

first  times,  and  antichristianism  and  arianism  in  the  after 
ages  ;  yet  not  swallowed  up  !  Which  may  be  no  less  mar- 
vellous, than  when  she  was  kept  above  the  waters,  in  the 
ark :  and  though  her  enemies  have  oft  sung  her  funeral 
song,  and  rejoiced  over  die  dead  bodies  of  her  witnesses, 
yet,  they  have  risen  again ;  her  dry  bones  have  taken  life, 
and  come  together  ;  and  behold  she  is  alive  at  this  day. 

2.  Not  only  the  church's  preservation,  but  the  continued 
series  and  succession  thereof  unto  this  time,  doth  witness 
the  fulfilling  of  this  promise  ;  that  in  the  darkest  times  of 
her  condition,  she  hath  not  altogether  disappeared,  even, 
when  she  was  so  long  hid  in  the  wilderness,  but  still  in 
every  age  had  some  witnesses;  and  though  the  church 
hath  oft  cried  out  for  the  want  of  children,  and  been  heard 
weeping,  bemoaning  herself  because  they  were  not,  yet,  we 
may  say  she  never  wanted  an  offspring  to  this  day ;  she 
did  never  die  without  an  heir,  and  seed  of  her  own,  to  raise 
up  her  name,  evensince  the  covenant  was  first  made  with 
her  in  Adam?s  family.  And  though  particular  churches 
have  their  set  times,  which  like  the  sun,  have  the  usual 
periods,  their  height  and  flourishing,  and  afterwards  a 
gradual  decay,  making  way  to  the  departure  of  light;  yet, 
this  made  never  void  the  promise  of  God  to  the  church 
universal,  whose  lamp  was  never  put  out,  nay,  shall  not 
while  the  days  of  heaven  do  last. 

3.  We  must  also  say  that  the  continuance  and  preserva- 
tion of  the  church  is  peculiar  to  her  alone ;  and  can  be 
r^aid  of  no  other  interest  and  party  beneath  the  sun.  For 
it  is  clear,  that  there  was  no  kingdom  or  empire  so  firmly 
rooted,  no  society  s6  well  governed  by  laws,  backed  with 
power,  which  hath  hadthe  best  title  and  claim,  but  time 
at  last  did  prevail  over  it,  and  made  the  same  a  trophy  of 
her  conquest ;  yea,  the  greatest  monarchies,  and  flourish- 
ing cities  have  at  last  yielded,  so  as  of  them  it  may  be  said, 
Nunc  seges  est  ubi  Troiafuit.  But  time  cannot  to  this  day 
boast  of  a  triumph  over  the  church  of  God  ;  though  no 
nation,  no  family  in  the  earth  could  ever  plead  antiquity 
with  her.  This  is  that  interest,  which  hath  borne  out  all 
those  great  revolutions,  that  so  oft  changed  the  very  face 
of  the  world  \  yea,  hath  outlived  so  many  kingdoms  and 
successions  thereof. 

4.  It  doth  convincingly  demonstrate  the  truth  of  this 
promise  of  the  church's  preservation,  that  the  world,  yea, 
greatest  atheists  may  see,  this  hath  not  come  to  pass3  at  an 
adventure  ;  nay,  not  in  an  ordinary  way  of  providence,  but 
by  a  divine  power  most  discernible  therein  :  while  it  is  so 
clear,  (1.)  That  no  interest,  or  party  had  ever  suck  ad* 


"The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scrip  ture.  Ill 

versaries,  as  the  church,  against  whom  the  powers  of  the 
world,  and  the  powers  of  darkness  have  always  been  on 
foot.  (2.)  That  outward  advantages  have  usually  been 
on  her  adversaries''  side,  not  only  the  great  men  of  the 
earth,  but  these  of  greatest  parts,  and  abilities.  (3.)  That 
their  will  was  never  wanting  to  their  power,  and  their  de- 
sign no  less  than  to  raze  her  to  the  foundation.  (4.)  That 
this  enmity  hath  been  rooted,  and  ir  reconcile  able,  which 
time  to  this  day  could  never  take  up.  (5.)  That  no  ether 
interest  did  ever  endure  such  violent  assaults,  so  many  sharp 
batteries  :  for  it  is  observable,  that  most  of  the  wars  and 
commotions  of  every  age  have  been  some  way  stated  on  the 
church \s  account ;  and  whatever  private  quarrels  men 
have  had  among  themselves,  yet  it  hath  not  hindered  the 
pursuit  of  their  malice  against  the  woman  and  her  seed. 
(6.)  That  such  who  have  come  out  of  her  bowels,  even  the 
men  of  her  own  house,  have  oft  been  her  greatest  enemies, 
and  lain  in  wait  to  take  her  at  an  advantage  in  the  day  of 
her  halting.  (7.)  That  her  real  friends  have  oft  fainted  in 
a  time  of  her  strait,  and  stood  afar  off ;  yea,  almost  none 
of  the  children,  which  she  had  brought  forth,  have  been 
then  found  to  take  her  by  the  hand.  (8.)  That  the  depths 
of  Satan,  in  her  enemies,  as  an  angel  of  light,  have  some- 
times given  her  a  sore  assault ;  so  that  if  it  had  been  possi- 
ble, and  ordinary  means  could  have  reached  their  end, 
they  should  have  deceived  the  very  elect.  (9.)  I  must  add 
this  further  witness  to  the  marvellous  preservation  of  the 
church,  which  in  an  ordinary  way  could  not  come  to  pass, 
that  we  find  no  other  party  was  ever  brought  so  low  and  near 
death,  and  be  yet  alive.  The  knife  was  once  at  the 
church's  throat  in  Isaac  ;  she  did  seek  to  adopt  a  bond  wo- 
man^s  son,  instead  of  a  lawful  heir,  when  Abraham  agreed 
to  Sarah's  overture  for  the  outmaking  of  the  promise  ;  how- 
near  expiring  do  we  find  her  in  .Egypt,  when  a  sentence 
to  destroy  all  her  male  issue  was  gone  forth  ?  Yea,  what 
but  a  miracle  could  have  preserved  her,  when  she  was  be- 
twixt Pharaoh  and  the  Red  Sea  ?  How  low  was  the  church 
in  the  wilderness,  and  after  in  the  days  of  the  captivity ', 
even  broken  to  pieces  with  small  appearance  of  life,  when 
her  face  was  all  blurred  with  weeping,  and  her  enemies 
made  sport  over  her  ruins  at  the  rivers  of  Babylon,  when 
the  children  of  Edom  cried  out,  let  us  raze  her  even  to  the 
foundation  ?  Yea,  could  the  church  be  nearer  the  grave, 
than  when  her  bones  were  scattered  at  the  gravels  mouth  ; 
but  above  all  in  that  dark  night,  when  her  head  znti  shep- 
herd was  smitten,  and  her  hope  seemed  to  be  bm  led  in  the 
grave  with  a  stone  put  upon  it ;  when  she  could  get  r.j  en- 


1 12  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

tertainment  among  the  Jews,^  was  wounded  in  the  house  of 
her  friends,  and  the  Gentiles  in  wrath  rose  up  against  her  ; 
that  for  some  hundred  years  the  great  empire,  which  had 
trod  down  all  the  nations  about ,  put  forth  the  utmost  of 
power  and  malice  for  her  undoing  !  O  who  could  have 
thought  the  church  should  outlive  this  ?  Yea,  after  all  we  find 
her  tossed  and  hurried  by  antichrist  into  the  wilderness,  an, 
adversary  more  cruel  than  any  that  had  gone  before,  where 
the  dragon  watched  to  get  her  destroyed  :  but  how  in  all 
these,  and  through  that  long  dark  night,  she  hath  continu- 
ed, and  marvellously  flourished,  as  the  palm  tree,  under 
greatest  weights  ;  so  that  we  cannot  but  see  that  which  her 
enemies  (being  judges J  will  not  deny,  thaft  this  promise  to 
the  church,  of  her  preservation,  is  this  day  fulfilled  ;  yea, 
that  it  hath  not  in  an  ordinary  way  been  brought  about. 
Surely  there  is  no  enchantment  against  Jacob,  nor  divina- 
tion against  Israel ;  all  her  enemies  have  been  found  liars  ; 
happy  art  thou  above  other  people  ;  for  the  eternal  God  is 
thy  refuge,  and  underneath  are  everlasting  arms  1 'Else 
long  since  she  should  ]iave  been  swallowed  up  ;  may  we 
not  still  say  with  astonishment,  Owhat  hath  God  wrought, 
in  her  behalf. 

SECOND  promise,  which  I  shall  here  instance,  that 
God  had  made  to  his  church  in  the  word,  Of  her  increase 
and  enlargement  ;  that  the  earth  should  be  covered  with  the 
knowledge  of  God,  as  the  sea  of  water  ;  and  her  seed  be  as 
the  stars  of  heaven  ;  that  her  bounds  should  be  from  the  sea 
to  the  utmost  rivers  ;  which  was  promised  to  Christ  in  the 
behalf  of  his  church,  and  that  she  should  possess  the  gates  of 
her  enemies,    PsaLlxxxix.  25.  ii.  8.  Isa.  xlii.  4.  liv.  3. 

As  this  promise  is  express  in  the  scripture,  we  must  say 
it  is  no  less  clear  and  evident  in  its  accomplishment ;  that 
surely  the  Lord  hath  kept  his  word,  whereto  the  event 
doth  most  exactly  answer  ;  and  though  yet  it  be  not  to  the 
full  made  out,  I  am  sure  there  is  so  much  at  this  day  man- 
ifest, considering  the  former  condition  of  the  church,  as 
undeniably  pro  veth  the  fulfilling  of  the  foremenlioned  prom- 
ise, which  even  to  the  conviction  of  greatest  atheists  may 
be  demonstrated  from  these  grounds. 

1.  That  vast  extent  which  the  kingdom  of'  Christ  hath 
had  in  the  world.  For  this  cannot  be  denied,  that  the 
greatest  empire  or  monarchy  could  never  so  far  extend 
their  conquest,  as  the  church  hath  done,  since  the  wall  of 
partition  was  taken  down  ;  short  are  the  limits  of  the  Gre- 
cian and  Roman  empire ;  considered  with  this,  whose 
bounds  have  been  the  ends  and  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth, 
where  neither  Greece  or  Some  did  ever  set  up  their  tra- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  113 

phies.  Hath  not  the  gospel,  like  the  sun,  made  its  circuit 
from  the  cast  to  the  west  ?  yea,  crossed  the  seas,  to  the  dark 
northern  nations,  thus  fulfilling  its^  course,  in  order  to  its 
turn  again,  to  the  place  of  its  first  rising  ;  that  it  may,  as 
we  are  sure  it  shall  once,  visit  the  Jews  again,  and  the  east- 
ern places  of  the  world,  that  now  are  buried  in  a  night  of 
darkness  ;  which,  I  think,  will  be  as  sure  a  presage  of  the 
break  of  day,  and  second  coming  of  the  Lord,  as  the  morn- 
ing star  is  to  the  world  of  the  sun's  accomplishing  its 
course,  and  that  it  is  returning  again  to  the  cast  where  it 
should  rise.  Hath  not  the  gospel  now  been  through  Asia, 
where  it  did  not  tarry  for  a  night ;  for  many  flourishing 
churches  were  there,  and  the  going  back  of  the  tide  from 
thence  was  its  flowing  to  another  part  of  the  world  ;  which 
is  indeed  observable  of  the  church  as  it  is  of  the  sea,  that 
what  it  hath  lost  in  one  part,  it  hath  gained  in  another. 
Did  the  vast  distance  of  Africa,  its  great  barren  deserts, 
or  scorching  heat,  hinder  the  gospel's  making  a  visit  thi- 
ther ?  No,  it  was  once  a  fertile  soil,  and  brought  forth  many 
famous  lights  ;  yea,  something  yet  doth  both  there  and  in 
the  east  parts  of  the  world  remain,  to  shew  the  gospel  was 
truly  in  these  places.  And  hath  Europe,  though  last,  been 
least  on  this  account  ?  Yea,  what  do  mean  the  late  discov- 
eries of  unknown  parts  of  the  earth,  but  to  make  way  for  a 
more  full  performance  of  this  promise,  that  the  gospel 
might  stretch  its  conquest  over  the  line  ?  which  surely  was 
the  gold  and  treasure  Christ  designed  from  thence,  that 
even  America  might  have  her  day  also,  and  the  voice  ef  the 
turtle  be  heard  in  those  lands. 

2.  Not  only  the  large  extent  of  the  church  as  to  its 
bounds,  doth  witness  this,  but  also  the  great  and  numerous 
offspring  of  sons  and  daughters,  which  in  those  parts  where 
the  gospel  hath  been,  were  brought  forth  to  Christ.  For 
we  may  say,  what  John  saw  in  vision,  hath  been  very 
manifest  to  after  ages,  an  innumerable  company,  of  all 
tongues,  nations  and  languages,  of  whom  it  could  be  said, 
These  arc  born  in  Zion  !  O  how  great  a  harvest  of  the  na- 
tions is  even  already  gathered  ?  What  a  fleece  hath  every 
particular  church  cast  ?  What  a  marvellous  increase  hath 
been  in  some  places,  after  special  tides  of  the  gospel  ?  May 
we  not  say,  that  truth  is  beyond  debate,  that  out  of  one,  and 
him  not  only  as  ggod  as  dead,  but  truly  dead,  there  hath 
come  forth  as  the  sand  of  the  sea,  and  stars  of  he  are  n,  in 
number!  the  church  hath  inherited  Joseph's  blessing,  of 
the  womb,  and  the  breasts,  -in  a  fruitful  offspring.  The  dew 
of  Christ's  youth  hath  been  as  the  womb  of  the  morning.  O 
what  a  marvellous  and  goodly  company  will  this  once  be, 


114  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

when  gathered  together  !   Then  will  the  performance  of 
these  precious  promises  be  fully  manifested. 

3.  This  truth  may  be  demonstrated  not  only  from  the 
real  conquest  of  the  gospel,  and  those  excellent  trophies  of 
her  victory  over  many  noted  enemies,  who  have  after  been 
vessels  of  honour,  but  also  from  the  feigned  subjection,  that 
so  many  have  been  made  to  render.  Is  it  not  strange,  what 
a  multitude  do  in  these  times  profess  the  truth,  and  yet 
hate  it  ;  and  were  never  drawn  with  the  cords  of  love  ? 
How  very  many  have  courted  the  name  of  a  christian,  and 
wooed  the  shadow  of  religion,  who  never  knew  the  truth 
thereof :  which  certainly  is  a  convincing  evidence  of  the 
gospel's  conquest,  that  so  many  knees  should  bow  to.  the 
name  of  Jesus,  whose  hearts  were  never  bowed,  or  really 
subdued  to  him. 

4.  It  is  an  unanswerable  proof  of  this  truth,  that  we  see 
the  church's  increase  and  enlargement  hath  come  to  pass 
most  punctually  after  that  manner,  yea  with  all  the  cir- 
cumstances, as  was  foretold  and  promised  :  so  that  the 
event  doth  in  every  thing  answer  the  word.  For  (first)  it 
is  there  held  out,  that  from  a  day  of  small  things,  which 
men  would  be  ready  to  despise,  it  should  grow  up^  as  a 
tender  plant,  and  spread  forth  its  branches  over  the  nations ; 
that  the  children  of  the  desolate  should  be  more  than  of  the 
married  wife,  and  the  glory  of  the  second  temple,  exceed 
that  of  the  first:  and  O  !  hath  it  not  accordingly  come  to 
pass.  (2.)  This  great  increase  and  enlargement  of  the 
church  was  to  fall  out  in  the  days  of  the  New  Testament  ; 
when  Christ  should  be  lifted  up,  that  then  he  should  draw 
nil  men  after  him.  For  those  promises  we  have  thereof  in 
the  Old  Testament,  do  clearly  point  at  the  times  of  the  gos- 
pel :  and  doth  not  the  event  here  accordingly  answer  ? 
(3.)  The  scripture  holdeth  out  that  the  falling  away  of  the 
Jews  should  be  the  riches  of  the  Gentiles,  and  that  their  re- 
jection should  make  way  for  the  fulfilling  of  this  promise, 
even  the  ingathering  of  the  nations  ;  and  do  not  men  see 
the  event,  with  this  very  circumstance  ? 

5.  We  find  the  isles,  and  utmost  parts  of  the  earth,  are 
given  to  Christ  for  his  inheritance  ;  and  foretold  as  a  special 
part  of  the  church's  increase.  And  do  we  not  clearly  see, 
there  is  no  place  of  the  world,  where  Christ's  kingdom  is 
more  visible,  where  more  children  have  been  begot  to  him 
by  the  gospel,  we  may  say,  than  in  these  northern  places, 
even  in  these  isles  of  Britain  and  Ireland,  which  are  almost 
the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  ;  there  being  but  little  from 
that,  and  nearer  the  pole,  which  is  inhabited,  yea  we  may 
judge  hath  been  that  Tlule,  whereof  the  ancients  did  so 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scrip  lure.  1 1 5 

much  speaL  (5.)  Was  it  not  also  foretold  that  the  church 
should  possess  the  gates  of  her  enemies,  at  whose  great  in- 
crease the  world  should  wonder  ;  the  princes  thereof  see, 
and  be  troubled  while  Gcd  is  known  hi  her  palaces,  for  a 
refuge  ?  And  doth  not  the  event  witness  this,  that  over  all 
the  counsels  and  essays,  which  the  world  hath  had,  to  hin- 
der the  church's  growth,  her  rising  hath  always  been  upon 
the  ruins  of  her  greatest  enemies  ;  yea,  those  who  have 
been  a  terror  in  the  land  of  the  living ,  did  oh  fall  and  break 
themselves,  in  that  attempt  !  Can  men  deny  the  marvellous 
progress  of  the  church,  how  from  a  small  beginning  she  at 
last  possessed  the  gates  of  both  the  eastern,  and  western  em- 
pire, her  old  enemies  :  and  do  we  not  this  day  see  her  con- 
quest advancing  on  the  ruins  of  antichrist,  her  last,  and 
greatest  adversary  ! 

6.  As  the  fulfilling  of  this  promise  about  the  church's  in- 
crease is  undeniable,  since  men  cannot  contradict  their 
sense  therein,  we  must  also  say,  this  is  a  thing  great  and 
marvellous,  which  no  less  than  some  divine  and  extraordi- 
nary power  could  bring  about ;  if  we  consider  these  things  : 
(first)*that  quick  dispatch,  which  the  church's  growth,  un- 
der the  days  of  the  New  Testament,  hath  made.  O  might 
not  the  pagan  world  wonder,  how  in  the  space  of  two  or 
three  hundred  years  it  was  almost  become  wholly  christ- 
ian ?  O  strange  !  a  Diode sian  and  Maximus  so  grievous- 
ly persecuting  and  trampling  on  the  very  name  of  Christian- 
ity, and  yet  near  that  same  age,  this  great  Roman  empire 
and  emperor  submitting  to  the  gospel,  which  was  fulfilled 
in  the  days  of  Constantine  !  {2.)  How  astonishing  was  it, 
for  the  church's  rise  and  increase  to  be  brought  about  upon 
the  ruin  and  downfall  of  the  idols  of  the  nations  who  had 
their  temples,  arid  were  worshipped 'as  God :  that  the  world 
should  be  made  to  renounce  its  bible,  and  that  religion 
which  for  so  many  ages  was  deeply  rooted  by  tradition 
from  their  fathers  ;  those  altars,  which  were  had  in  such 
reverence,  demolished,  and  their  temples  made  a  ruinous 
heap  ;  yea,  that  very  name  of  their  god's  should  be  thus  ob- 
literated, was  not  this  indeed  very  wonderful  ?  But  Dagon 
hath  no  strength  to  stand  before  the  ark  of  the  God  of  Israel. 
(3.)  That  it  should  be  thus  advanced  by  such  means,  as  the 
preaching  of  the  word,  even  of  that  which  to  the  Jews  was 
a  stumbling  block,  and  to  the  Greeks  foolishness  !  how  this 
voice  should  put  to  perpetual  silence  those  oracles,  that  For 
so  many  ages  had  given  a  response  to  the  world,  might  be 
indeed  astonishing  ;  yea,  that  the  church's  increase  should 
thus  be  brought  about,  at  no  less  rate,  than  the  overturning 
of  greatest  kingdoms,  the  conversion  of  so  many  nations  ; 


1 16  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

should  tame  and  civilize  the  most  savage  and  barbarous, 
cause  the  lion  to  lie  down  with  the  lamb,  and  ever  make  so 
great  and  universal  a  change  in  the  face  of  the  universe. 
(4.)  Doth  it  not  speak  forth  some  divine  power,  the  carry, 
ing  on  of  the  church's  growth  and  increase,  not  only  over 
the  violence  of  men,  but  over  all  those  dreadful  errors  and 
inventions,  those  thick  misty  which  both  in  former  and  later 
times,  have  ascended  out  of  the  pit,  to  choke  her;  that  we 
may  say,  the  church  hath  not  only  been  helped  to  tread 
upon  the  lion,  and  dragon,  but  on  the  adder  and  cockatrice 
also  ;  and  doth  carry  the  trophies  of  her  conquest  over  all 
these  at  this  day  !  (5)1  would  add,  is  it  not  marvellous, 
how  the  church's  increase  hath  been  advanced  in  a  way 
most  contrary  to  all  the  rules  of  ordinary  policy*  by  which 
states  and  empires  have  risen  ;  not  by  dissimulation,  but 
greatest  plainness  and  free  dealing  for  Christ,  and  his  min- 
isters did  never  flatter  the  world  to  embrace  the  truth  ;  not 
by  open  violence,  but  a  more  excellent  spirit  and  power,  be- 
fore which  men  could  not  stand  ?  where  foolishness  was 
made  to  confound  and  outwit  human  wisdom,  arAnvcak- 
ness  to  overcome  strength  ;  that  we  may  say,  O  how  little 
of  man,  and  how  much  of  God  w7as  to  be  seen  therein  ! 

THIRD  proniise,  which  the  Lord  hath  given  to  his 
church  in  the  word,  is  the  giving  of  the  Spirit  and  pouring 
cut  of  the  same  ;  which  is  there  expressly  held  forth,  and 
promised,  Zech.  xii.  10.  J  oh.  xiv.  17.  Isa.  fix.  21.  And 
doth  concern  all  times  of  the  church,  though  in  a  more  full 
measure,  to  be  let  out  in  the  days  of  the  gospel. 

It  is  true,  the  christian's  inward  experience  can  best  wit- 
ness this  ;  for  these  have  an  argument  from  within  ;  they 
know,  and  are  sure  they  have  received  the  Spirit  by  the 
word,  whereby  they  understand  those  things  which  are 
spiritually  discerned.  But  that  which  here  is  intended,  it 
is  to  shew,  that  the  Spirit  is  truly  given  forth  to  the  church 
according  to  the  promise. .  That  it  doth  accompany  the 
truth  and  doctrine  of  Christ,  and  purity  of  the  ordinances, 
is  a  tiling,  which  from  clear  undeniable  evidences  may  be 
demonstrated,  to  the  conviction  of  the  greatest  atheist. 
For  I  must  think,  even  bystanders,  such  who  never  knew 
any  saving  work  of  the  Spirit,  but  live  in  these  parts  where 
the  ordinances  are  dispensed  with  purity  and  power,  if  they 
shut  not  their  eyes,  may  oft  clearly  see  something  going 
forthwith  the  word,  that  is  beyond  words,  a  divine  Spirit 
and  power,  which  sendeth  forth  its  savour  in  the  daily  ad- 
ministration of  the  gospel ;  yea,  by  its  effects,  and  some 
convincing  discovery  thereof,  doth  force  this  truth  in  upon 
men's  consciences,  who  are  otherwise  strangers  thereto. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  117 

Now  to  hold  forth  the  accomplishment  cf  so  great 
a  promise,  that  God  is  faithful  and  true  therein,  I 
would  give  in  these  clear  and  convincing  witnesses  to  the 
same. 

I.  Those  excellent  gifts  and  endowments  given  to  the 
church,  are  they  not  a  visible  proof  of  this  truth  ?  for  it  is 
undeniable,  where  once  the  gospel  cometh,  that  instruments 
are  raised  with  another  spirit ;  reapers  sent  forth,  while 
there  is  a  harvest  to  be  gathered,  and  shaped  for  their  work ; 
yea,  those  who  were  of  mean  and  ordinary  parts,  when 
called  forth  to  the  service  of  the  church,  will  have  another 
lustre  ;  that  it  may  be  oft  seen  with  astonishment,  how  far 
not  only  they  exceed  themselves,  but  those  who  were  of  more 
eminent  natural  endowments.  I  would  but  seriously  ask 
men  who  never  laid  this  truth  to  heart,  whence  is  that  varie- 
ty of  gifts,  so  suitably  dispensed  to  the  various  employments, 
and  different  pieces  of  service,  the  church  doth  call  for  ? 
how  are  they  thus  suited  to  the  several  times  ;  yea,  to  the 
very  genius  and  temper  of  such  a  time  ?  whence  is  it,  that 
every. gift  and  qualification  is  so  fitted  and  disposed  for  its 
proper  use ;  some  most  peculiarly  shaped  out  to  awake 
and  threaten  (those  Boanerges  J  while  others  are  set  forth 
with  a  spirit  eminently  fitted  to  comfort  ;  some  mighty  in 
persuasion,  yet  not  so  fit  to  expound  ;  others  most  dexter- 
ous to  instruct,  yet  not  so  powerful  to  apply  ;  some  having 
the  gifts  of  tongues,  and  others  the  tongue  of  the  learned  to 
speak  a  word  in  season  to  the  weary  ;  to  some  the  face  of  a 
lion  is  given,  when  a  heroic  spirit  of  courage  and  resolution 
is  called  for,  and  to  others  the  face  of  a  calf,  for  patient  en- 
during in  suffering  time  !  Surely  it  were  a  choice  medita- 
tion, to  think  how  with  as  great  wonder  we  may  say  of 
this  excellent  body  of  the  church,  as  of  the  natural  body  of 
man,  how  curiously,  yea,  marvellously  is  it  framed ; 
where  every  part  doth  answer  another,  and  to  the  use  of 
the  whole,  each  hath  its  peculiar  excellency,  and  some- 
thing proper  to  every  one's  gift  may  be  then  seen,  as  well 
as  in  the  face  of  man,  by  which  in  some  things  they  differ 
from  all  other. 

2.  These  more  eminent  extraordinary  out  pourings  of  the 
Spirit  do  also  witness  this  truth  ;  which  at  some  special 
times,  when  the  church's  necessity  requireth  it,  have  been 
most  discernible.  When  the  Lord  sendeth  forth  his  servants 
about  a  more  than  ordinary  piece  of  work,  either  to  do,  or 
suffer  ;  when  he  is  to  plant  the  church  in  someplace,  where 
the  gospel  will  meet  with  much  opposition  ;  is  it  not  then 
manifest,  how  some  more  than  ordinary  power  and  irre- 
sistible efficacy  doth  accompany  the  truth,  before  which 


118  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture- 

there  is  no  standing  ?  the  disputer  is  then,  in  his  reasoning, 
confounded'hy  something  above  reason  ;  the  untoward  and 
rude  are  forced  to  stoop  before  the  word,  and  to  confess  they 
have  to  do,  with  power,  and  hot  with  words  ;  yea,  those 
whom  the  Lord  maketh  use  of,  who  were  feeble  and  weak 
as  others,  in  that  day  are  made  as  a  brazen  wall,  and  a 
fenced  city-. 

3.  Is  it  not  also  undeniable,  that  now  under  the  New 
Testament  there  are  ministers  of  the  Spirit,  and  not  of  a 
dead  letter,  and  empty  sound  ?  that  with  the  word  there 
goes  along  a  ministration  of  power  and  life  ;  whence  a 
majesty  and  authority  attending  the  public  ordinances  is 
oft  so  discernible,  that  even  those  who  know  not  what  the 
spirit  is,  are  made  to  see  something  therein  which  doth 
dazzle  them  with  astonishment.  Whence  is  it  that  at  some 
times  such  a  beauty  and  power  shine  forth  with  ordinances, 
like  a  glance  of  the  glory  of  God,  even  going  before  men's 
eye  s,  which  for  the  present  hath  made  a  wonderful  change 
upon  some  very  gross  men,  and  put  them  in  another  tem- 
per, yea,  forceel  them  with  fear  to  acknowledge,  that  surely 
God  is  near  in  the:  assemblies  of  his  people  ?  and  I  would 
ask,  whence  is  it  the  word  giveth  law  to  men's  conscien- 
ces ?  that  it  should  speak  with  such  an  authority,  asmaketh 
them  all  to  shiver,  that  even  the  worst  of  men  are  sometimes 
made  to  stand  before  the  ministry  of  the  word,  like  men 
standing  at  the  bar,  upon  life  and  death,  before  a  judge 
whose  authority  they  durst  not  decline  ! 

4.  It  is  very  discernible,  what  a  great  difference  vend  an- 
other appearance,  there  is  both  on  ministers,  and  christians 
at  one  time,  from  what  they  are  'At  another,  in  the  discharge 
of  duty,  as  if  these  were  not  the  same  persons  ;  which  ap- 
peared! not  only  in  the  enlargement,  and  straitening  of  their 
gift ,  but  also  in  power  and  life.  Is  it  not  seen,  with  what  liber- 
ty these  do  sometimes  pray ,  and  are  as  a  ship  with  a  full  gale 
before- the  wind  ?  that  it  is  then  easy  to  preach;  when  at 
other  times  there  is  like  a  shut  door,  that  even  hearers 
mar}  ;  erceive  a  sensible  languishing,  and  them  hampered  in 
their  \  ery  expressions,  yea,  as  men  rowing  against  a  contra- 
ry wind  ;  the  word  wanting  that  savour  anel  relish  it  hath 
had  at  other  times  ;  and  this  not  through  a  natural  indispo- 
sition, or  want  of  preparation,  but  that  which  all  who  ever 
served  God  in  the  spirit  must  confess,  hath  most  sensibly 
attended  them  when  they  have  thought  themselves  at  the 
greatest  advantage,  forgoing  about  duty  :  O  who  can  deny 
this  evidence  of  the  Spirit,  a  thing  in  all  ages  so  sensibly 
IlA,  yea,  even  obvious  to  the  worst  of  men  ! 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  119 

5.  It  is  also  clear,  that  wherever  the  Lord  hath  had  a 
church,  at  some  special  turns  of  her  condition  there  have 
usually  been  some  more  solemn  rimes  of  the  Spirit,  and  high 
spring  tides  of  the  gospel.  There  was  indeed  a  marvellous 
flowing  forth  of  the  Spirit  of  God  after  Christ's  ascension, 
which  like  a  mighty  current  did  carry  all  before  it ;  at 
which  time  more  success  did  follow  one  sermon,  than 
hath  been  by  the  ministry  of  many  others  in  an  age  ; 
this  made  the  world  wonder,  as  if  some  universal  enchant- 
ment  had  fallen  on  men  ;  what  that  could  be,  which  the 
more  they  sought  to  bear  down,  the  more  it  increased,  that 
made  the  rich  choose  poverty,  and  those  who  dwelt  in  pal- 
aces betake  themselves  with  cheerfulness  to  the  dens  and 
caves  of  the  earth.  But  besides  this,  it  is  very  manifest, 
that  in  a  large  measure  the  Spirit  hath  been  let  forth  to  the 
church  in  after  ages  ;  yea,  there  is  no  particular  church 
where  the  light  hath  shined,  but  hath  had  its  special  times, 
some  solemn  day  of  the  pouring  out  of  the  Spirit,  before 
the  sun  went  down  :  which  may  be  observed  either  at  the 
first  breaking  out  of  the  gospel,  or  at  some  other  remarka- 
ble time  and  change  of  her  condition  :  whence  a  great  flight 
of  souls  to  Christ  hath  followed;  besides  the  reaching  of 
the  conscience  and  stirring  the  affection  of  many  others  \\w 
der  a  common  work  of  the  Spirit,  which  usually  goeth  along 
with  solemn  times. 

6.  The  going  back  of  the  tide,  and  visible  withdrawing 
of  the  Spirit  from  particular  churches,  where  it  hath  some- 
times in  a  large  measure  been  let  forth,  is  a  very  convincing 
witness  to  the  truth  of  this  promise.  For  it  is  clearly  seen, 
at  what  a  stand  the  gospel  is  in  those  places  where  it  most 
eminently  shined  ;  that  the  land  which  blossomed,  and  was 
like  a  watered  garden,  hath  been  made  as  the  heath  in  the 
wilderness  ;  and  then  that  the  ministers  of  Christ,  whose 
lot  hath  fallen  iri  such  a  time,  are  put  to  very  sore  work,  to 
work  (as  it  were")  with  oars  for  want  of  wind,  to  cast  out 
the  net  all  night,  and  catch  nothing  ;  a  shut  door  is  upon 
them  in  the  exercise  of  their  ministry  ;  duty  is  made  bur- 
densome, because  the  Lord  is  against  them,  there  is  an  evi~ 
dent  restraint  upon  the  word,  and  its  intercourse  is  more 
with  the  ear,  than  with  the  consciences  of  men  :  yea, 
any  liberty  they  find  is  to  execute  a  commission  of 
judgment,  and  to  denounce  the  wo  of  the  gospel.  O, 
doth  not  so^  manifest  withdrawing  of  the  spirit  witness 
the  outpouring  thereof,  and  that  it  is  a  certain  and  real 
thing. 

7.  Do  not  the  stirrings  and  strong  convictions;   which 
"even  the  worst  of  men  have  sometnr.es  under  the  word, 


120  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

witness  a  divine  Spirit  and  power  going  along  therewith  ; 
that  which  forceth  an  assent  from  their  conscience  to  the 
truth,  which  otherwise  they  hate  ;  yea,  maketh  them  for 
the  time  wonder  they  should  not  have  been  more  serious 
in  the  ways  of  God  !  Yea.  it  doth  often  put  a  thorn  in  the 
bed  of  their  security  ?  for  indeed  the  word  and  the  light 
thereof  doth  torment  those  who  dwell  in  the  earth.  And 
truly  this  is  a  marvellous  thing,  which  getteth  in  upon 
men's  secret  designs  and  counsels,  doth  reveal  to  them  the 
most  close  thoughts  of  their  heart,  which  they  are  sure 
men's  eyes  could  not  reach,  taketh  them  down  through 
themselves  ;  and  yet,  that  the  world  knoweth  not  whence 
it  is  !  Yea,  are  they  not  forced  to  confess,  what  a  great  dif- 
ference they  find  betwixt  the  word  from  the  mouth  of  sonic 
who  are  holy  and  serious,  though  held  out  in  greatest  sim- 
plicity, than  from  others  even  of  greater  gifts,  and  accom- 
panied with  more  shew  of  eloquence,  that  surely  the  one 
hath  another  sound  and  relish,  speaketh  more  feelingly 
home  to  their  heart,  than  the  most  polished  discourse  of 
greatest  orators  ! 

8.  One  witness  more  I  shall  here  give  to  the  truth  of 
this  promise,  even  those  eminent  examples  of  the  great 
grace  of  God,  which  in  every  age  have  shined  in  the  fir- 
mament of  the  church  ;  some  in  love,  and  zeal,  some  in 
patience,  and  humility,  some  in  the  strong  acts  of  faith,  and 
selfdeniai  ;  which  do  certainly  demonstrate  a  more  excel- 
lent spirit,  than  that  which  is  in  the  world  ;  whence  they 
appear  with  another  lustre  in  their  walk  and  carriage,  and 
have  a  sweet  and  fragrant  savour  of  the  Spirit,  to  the  very 
discerning  of  bystanders  ;  which  truly  sheweth  that  his 
wind  doth  blow  on  his  garden,  when  the  spices  send  forth 
so  pleasant  a  scent. 

FOURTH.  We  find  an  express  promise  in  the  word  of 
deliver ance  to  the  church  in  a  low  and  oppressed  condition  ; 
that  surely  the  Lord  will  plead  her  cause,  will  deliver  his 
people  when  he  seeth  their  strength  is  gone,  and  save  them 
from  the  hands  of  their  enemies.  Ps.  xviii.  47,  43.  50. 
Ps.  xxii.  4;  5.  Is.  liv.  17.  Is.  li.  23. 

It  is  true,  this  promise  hath  its  bounds,  limits,  and  pro- 
visos, which  should  be  taken  along  in  the  application 
thereof.  We  know,  the  covenant  of  God  with  particular 
churches  is  conditional  only  ;  he  promiseth,  that \he  will  be 
with  them,  while  they  are  with  him ;  yea,  it  is  oft  seen 
(and  there  is  no  jar  here  with  this  promise)  that  a  people 
professing  the  gospel,  confederate  with  God  following  duty, 
have  even  turned  their  back  before  the  cncmij,  and  in  the 
holy  providence  of  God  have  for  a  time  been  given  up  to 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  121 

their  fierce  rage  and  violence.  But  it  is  also  sure,  that  this 
promise  hath  an  accomplishment,  and  in  the  day  of  the 
church's  strait  the  Lord  hath  oft  appeared ;  by  a  strong  out- 
stretched hand  for  her  help  ;  his  own  arm  brought  salva- 
tion to  his  people,  when  they  sought  to  him  ;  for  God  is 
known  in  her  palaces  for  a  refuge  ;  yea,  surely  the  church 
might  oft  sing  that  song  on  such  clear  grounds,  a*  though 
with  Israel  she  had  been  standing  at  the  Red  sea,  Thy  right 
hand,  0  Lord,  is  full  of  power,  thy  right  hand  hath  dashed 
in  pieces  thy  enemies.  For  what  nation,  or  people  is  like 
this,  to  whom  he  hath  shewed  such  marvellous  things  ? 

Now  to  shew  forth  the  faithfulness  of  God  in  this  prom- 
ise, I  would  offer  some  few  things  that  are  a  most  clear  and 
undeniable  witness  thereto. 

1.  There  are  lew  ages,  but  we  have  some  record  of  the 
church's  condition,  which  hold  forth  such  signal  convincing 
providences  of  God,  in  behalf  of  his  oppressed  church  and 
people,  as  may  be  a  manifest  seal  to  this  truth.  It  is  true, 
some  times  have  been  more  remarkable  for  suffering,  times 
of  judgment  and  of  a  growing  trial,  wherein  this  truth  hath 
not  so  clearly  shined  forth  ;  yea,  that  long  night  which  the 
church  had  under  Antichrist,  might  seem  to  call  it  in 
question  :  but  nevertheless,  if  men  take  a  serious  view  of 
the  Lord's  way,  and  the  series  of  providence  in  ages  past, 
comparing  one  time  with  another,  what  the  straits  and 
most  extreme  case  of  the  church  hath  at  last  resolved  in, 
they  will  find  cause  to  cry  with  astonishment,  great  deliv- 
erances gheth  he  to  his  people,  yea,  the  Lord  hath  done 
great  things  for  them  !  I  am  sure,  were  there  a  full  record, 
with  that  true  account  which  might  be  given,  of  those  more 
remarkable  deliverances,  that  particular  churches  have  met 
with,  since  the  first  planting  of  the  gospel  among  them, 
wherein  God's  very  immediate  hand  for  their  help  hath 
been  discernible,  it  would  nonplus  the  world,  and  greatest 
atheists,  about  the  real  fulfilling  of  this  promise. 

2.  The  confessions  even  of  the  church's  enemies  hath  eft 
witnessed  this  truth,  that  in  pursuing  their  malice,  to 
trouble  and  undo  her,  they  have  but  undone  thcrnsehes  ; 
how  tormenting  disappointments  have  caused  their  very 
flesh  to  pine  away,  and  the  close  and  issue  of  their  rape 
forced  this  conviction  from  them  at  last,  that  the  church  is 
a  burdensome  stone,  to  be  lifted  up  ;  a  party,  with  whom  it 
is  full  of  hazard  to  meddle.  Have  not  such  been  made 
to  discern  something  of  a  divine  hand,  so  clearly  against 
them,  blasting  their  counsels  and  most  promising  attempts,, 
as  if  their  eyes  with  Balaam  hath  been  opened  to  see  the 
angel  in  their  way  !  Yea,  in  all  ages  it  is  known,  how  the 


122  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture: 

conscience  even  of  the  worst  hath  oft  bewrayed  something 
of  a  presaging  fear,  they  have  had  of  those  whom  they  pur- 
sued with  greatest  malice,  and  a  dreadful  impression  they 
had  of  a  praying  people,  and  their  prayers. 

3.  This  truth  hath  had  the  clearest  witness  in  times  of  the 
church's  greatest  strait  and  extremity  ;  when  difficulties 
have  appeared  insuperable,  and  relief  in  an  ordinary  way 
of  providence  most  hopeless  ;  when  visible  means  have 
been  withdrawn,  all  refuge  failed and  none  to  help  ;  that  in 
such  a  day  the  Lord  hath  been  seen  upon  the  mount,  and 
unexpectedly  by  very  strange  means  brought  deliverance 
to  a  broken,  and  almost  ruined  church,  even  as  it  were  be- 
twixt the  bridge  and  the  water  :  so  that  who  would  have  a 
clear  view  of  the  accomplishment  of  this  promise,  may  but 
turn  back  on  these  more  remarkable  extreme  exigencies 
of  the  church's  condition,  and  there  have  it;  how  of t  a 
sweet  sunshine  that  followed  the  most  dark  and  cloudy 
times,  a  raging  storm  hath  resolved  into  a  refreshing  calm  ; 
yea,  that  with  a  further  growth  of  the  church's  trial,  and 
doubling  of  her  burden,  her  enlargement  and  deliverance 
hath  broken  out  with  those  great  and  obvious  remarks 
therein,  that  it  was  a  convincing  return  of  prayer  and  wrest- 
ling, with  a  further  addition  of  some  new  and  singular 
mercy  therewith,  yea,  some  eminent  act  of  judgment  upon 
her  adversaries. 

■I-.  The  greatest  advantages  and  victories,  which  men 
have  got  over  the  church  and  people  of  God,  can  also 
bear  witness  to  this,  that  when  the  wicked  have  sprung  up 
like  the  grass,  and  the  workers  of  iniquity  seemed  to  flour- 
ish, this  very  way  hath  the  Lord  taken  to  bring  about  a 
more  full deliverance  :  Yea,  on  the  other  hand,  hath  it  not 
been  very  obvious  how  the  church's  gain  hath  been 
brought  forth  out  of  greatest  loss  ;  that  those  wounds 
.which  seemed  most  deadly,  by  the  infinitely  wise  provi- 
dence of  God,  have  turned  to  her  most  effectual  and  thor- 
ough cure ;  and  men's  unreasonable  violence  and  rage 
against  the  church  hath  oft  had  an  evident  tendency  to 
bring  about  even  that  whereto  it  seemed  most  directly  con- 
trary, some  further  mercy,  and  deliverance,  than  could 
have  been  expected  ;  as  the  Aniorhes  refusing  Israel  but 
passage  through  their  land,  did  prove  the  very  mean  to 
give  them  more  than  they  sought,  the  possession  of  that 
land  for  an  inheritance. 

5.  This  witness  the  observation  of  the  church  in  all  ages 
can  bear  to  this  promise,  that  deliverance  hath  oft  sprung 
up,  and  been  brought  to  her  hijid,from  a  quarter,  and  by 
such  means,  as  none  would  have  expected  ;  by  such,  as  none 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  12S 

but  God  could  do  ;  a  sudden  report  and  rumour.  (1  Sam. 
xxiii.  27.)  Means  that  have  been  not  only  small  and  im- 
probable, but  that  looked  directly  contrary,  as  in  bringing 
the  church  out  of  Egypt ;  yea,  sometime  by  the  wicked's 
being  ensnared  in  the  work  of  their  own  hands.  Is  it  not  ob- 
vious, how  the  Lord  hath  employed  men's  private  inter- 
ests, to  put  them  on  for  befriending  his  church  ?  and  hath 
paused  the  earth  to  help  the  woman,  and  raised  up  one  op- 
pressor to  punish  another ;  yea,  often  hath  prepared  car- 
penters, whence  it  was  least  thought,  to  cut  the  horns  of 
those  who  had  scattered  his  people  ! 

6.  There  is  this  convincing  witness  to  the  truth  of  such 
a  promise,  that  sudden  remarkable  change,  which  may  be 
oft  discerned  both  on  men's  inward  frame,  and  the  out- 
ward face  of  the  church,  when  a  time  of  mercy  and  enlarge- 
ment is  come  ;  instruments  raised  of  the  Lord,  with  a  dis- 
cernible elevation  of  their  spirits  to  act,  and  do  exploits  ; 
the  feeble  then  made  strong  :  and  those  who  sometime 
would  have  fainted  at  an  ordinary  piece  of  service,  dare 
with  such  a  gale  of  divine  assistance  run  {as  it  were)  through 
a  troop,  and  overleaf)  a  wall.  For  indeed  this  may  in  all 
ages  be  obvious,  how  easy  it  is  to  move,  in  the  day  when 
the  Lord  moveth  for  his  people,  and  strengtheneth  the  gir- 
dle of  their  loins ;  that  it  was  not  their  bow,  or  sword,  which 
got  them  the  victory,  but  the  very  finger  of  God,  something 
above  the  counsels  of  men,  or  ordinary  means;  which 
hath  sometimes  been  made  clear  as  the  noonday,  so  that 
even,  atsome  distance,  those  who  are  wise  to  discern  the 
times,  did  see  when  there  was  a  breaking  out  of  a  day  of  a 
.church's  hope  ;  how  there  was  a  previous  motion  and  stir 
amongst  the  dry  bones  t  the  Lord;  as  in  the  top  of  the  mul- 
berry trees,  hath  been  then  discernible,  and  some  promis- 
ing appearance  from  the  present  disposition  and  temper  of 
the  godly  in  that  time  (though  we  must  grant,  mercy  and 
sovereign  grace  hath  oft  met  the  church,  when  little  of  this 
hath  appeared)  which,  like  the  breaking  out  of  that  cloud 
in  the  top  of  mount  Carmel,  to  the  prophet,  though  at  first 
but  as  an  havidbrcadth,  hath  shewed  that  deliverance  to  the 
church  was  not  far  off. 

7.  I  would  add  this  witness  also ;  those  convincing  prov- 
2 deuces ,  w hi 'ch  in  all  ages  have  been  shewed  against  the  cn- 
eraics  of  the  church,  such  as  men  could  not  pass  without 
some  remark  :  what  an  issue  those  have  had,  who  have 
sometimes  been  a  sore  rod  on  the  people  of  God,  yea,  a 
terror  in  the  land  of  the  living  !  How  they  have  become  a 
most  abject  and  contemptible  party,  like  bees  who  have 
lost  their  sting  ;  their  countenance  hath  been  changed,  and 


124  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

they  ceased  to  be  any  more  a  fear,  when  once  their  work 
w as  done,  and  the  date  of  their  commission  for  the  hum- 
bling and  trying  of  the  church  expired  ;  yea,  a  judicial  stroke 
from  the  Lord  hath  been  often  seen  upon  their  very  judg- 
ment, and  resolutions,  which  could  not  then  serve  them  to 
trouble  and  afflict  the  church  ;  the  day  being  turned,  and 
the  time  of  her  deliverance  come. 

FIFTH.  There  is  this  promise  also  which  concerneth 
the  church  in  general,  as  well  as  christians  in  their  person- 
al case,  That  cU  things  work  together  for  the  good  of  those 
who  love  God^  Rom.  viii.  28.  the  accomplishment  where- 
of, as  it  is  written  out  in  providence  to  the  observation  of 
men,  I  would  here  touch. 

This  is  indeed  a  great  and  comprehensive  promise, 
which  in  the  constant  course  and  tenor  of  providence  about 
the  church,  we  may  see,  it  doth  take  place,  how  those 
turnings  and  changes  of  the  world,  the  most  strange 
emergentsofthetime,  the  various  motions  and  interests  of 
men,  do  co-operate  together,  and  have  an  undoubted  ten- 
dency to  bring  forth  the  church's  good,  as  though  they  did 
intentionally  act  for  the  same.  There  will  indeed,  one  day, 
be  a  more  clear  and  marvellous  discovery  of  this,  when  the 
Lord  hath  perfected  his  work,  and  the  mystery  of  God  is 
finished,  the  church  brought  safe  to  the  harbour ;  then 
shall  it  be  fully  manifest,  to  what  end  all  those  storms  and 
cross  winds  in  the  counsels  and  designs  of  men  were  ; 
those  things,  which  in  the  time  could  not  be  understood, 
but  seemed  perplexed  and  strange,  did  really  work  for  the 
church's  good.  For  then  men  will  see  with  their  eyes  a  full 
performance  of  the  word  :  yet  we  must  say,  even  here,  in 
every  age,  amidst  the  various  changes  of  the  church's  case, 
this  hach  so  clear  a  fulfilment,  that  there  is  no  serious  ob- 
server of  providence,  but  may  bear  witness  to  it. 

1.  That  not  only  the  church's  good,  but  even  her  great- 
est good,  hath  most  clearly  had  its  rise,  and  been  brought 
forth,  out  of  the  greatest  mischiefs  and  hurts  intended  against 
her.  If  we  search  the  scripture,  and  will  turn  over  those 
after  records  of  the  church's  condition,  we  shall  there  find, 
that  the  most  remarkable  attempts  and  plots,  such  as  Pha- 
raoh's last  essay  to  destroy  the  Israelites,  Hainan's  great 
design  to  root  out  the  seed  of  the  Jews,  that  great  master 
plot  Satan  once  had  on  foot,  to  crush  the  gospel  and  the 
christian  church  by  crucifying  her  head,  yea,  in  these  last 
times  antichrist's  killing  the  witnesses,  have  all,  as4f  really 
intended  by  the  instruments  as  well  as  the  first  mover, 
brought  forth  the  church's  greatest  good  ;  so  as  the  after 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  125 

mercy  and  relief  hath  carried  some  visible  proportion  to  her 
trial,  and  to  the  greatness  of  her  adversaries'  design. 

2.  It  may  be  also  clear,  if  we  but  trace  back  those  mem- 
orable changes,  which  have  been  up  and  down  the  earth, 
how  direct  a  tendency  they  have  had  to  this  end.  Did  not 
the  bringing  down  that  great  image  of  the  monarchies,  wit- 
ness this  ?  We  find  Nebuchadnezzar  raised  up  as  a  rod  to 
the  church,  and  Cyrus  for  a  deliverer  ;  we  may  see  the 
Persian  and  Grecian  monarchies  brought  down,  to  make 
way  for  the  setting  up  of  the  Messiafrs^  kingdom.  Anti- 
ochus  must  stand  up  a  little  for  a  sharp  trial,  and  his  down- 
fall give  the  church  a  new  breathing,  and  hold  forth  to  after 
ages  a  remarkable  monument  of  the  judgment  of  God 
against  his  enemies.  Peaceable  Augustus  must  fall  in  with 
his  time  in  whose  days  shall  be  abundance  of  peace.  We 
find  a  Titus  set  up  to  execute  the  judgment  of  God  on  the 
Jews,  to  make  way  for  a  further  enlargement  to  the  gentile 
church  ;  a  Nero  and  Domitian  to  help  forward  the  church's 
suffering,  and  a  Constantine  to  give  her  some  rest,  after  so 
long  and  sore  an  assault ;  and  at  last,  the  Roman  empire 
mouldered  down,  for  antichrist'' s  up  setting,  to  accomplish 
what  did  remain  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ,  in  his  church, 
by  that  adversary. 

3.  We  may  oft  see  a  very  strange  concurrence  of  things  ! 
how  instruments  act  to  bring  about  the  Lord's  end,  and 
advance  his  church's  interest,  even  while  each  one  doth 
most  vigorously  drive  their  own  proper  end  and  design  ; 
which  sheweth,  there  is  surely  a  living  spirit  in  the  wheels, 
that  ordereth  these  motions,  a  supreme  and  first  mover  that 
can  thus  determine  them,  whether  they  will,  or  not,  to 
serve  his  end,  and  to  promote  the  church's  good,  when 
they  most  directly  intend  the  contrary. 

4.  We  have  seen  how  in  men's  plotting  the  ruin  of  the 
church  ,there  is  oft  an  unseen  hand  deter  miningtheir judgment 
and  inclination,  to  fail  upon  that  very  way,  than  which  we 
would  think  nothing  could  have  been  more  direct  for  her 
good  and  their  own  ruin  ;  how  an  Hushai  hath  been  sent 
in,  or  some  have  been  stirred  up  amongst  themselves  (upon 
thdr  «wn  interest)  to  break  the  pernicious  counsels  and 
designs  of  others. 

5.  We  have^  also  seen  the  personal  quarrels  of  the 
church's  enemies  among  themselves  brought  to  such  an 
height,  and  to  fall  out  so  seasonably,  that  observers  might 
clearly  perceive  that  it  hath  been  from  the  Lord  ;  a  judg- 
ment for  their  rage  and  violence  against  his  poor  oppressed 
people. 


126  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

6.  We  have  seen  the  church's  enemies  raised  to  a  stranger 
height,  all  advantages  favouring  them,  until  their  mine  hath 
teen  ripe  for  springing  ;  and  lo,  at  that  very  juncture, 
something  unexpected  hath  fallen  out,  which  did  turn  their 
former  success  to  their  further  ruin,  yea,  disappoint  all. 
This,  the  world  is  ready  to  call  some  fatal  and  malevolent 
conjunction,  which  cannot  be  resisted:  and  what  is  this, 
in  effect,  but  the  witness  of  men's  conscience  to  a  divine 
hand  ? 

7.  Have  we  not  seen  some  sore  dash  and  overthrow  of 
the  church  bring  forth  her  good,  and  a  more  full  victory  P 
how  visible  help  and  means  have  been  taken  out  of  the  way, 
that  something  above  means  might  be  seen  in  her  condition, 
even  in  that  day,  when  all  hath  been  given  for  lost ;  yea, 
truth's  losing  the  day  upon  the  field,  bring  forth  her  tri. 
umph  on  the  scaffold  and  at  the  stake. 

8.  We  have  seen  most  despicable  and  ordinary  things 
made  subservient  for  some  great  piece  of  the  Lord's  work  : 
a  very  small  thing  made  the  first  rise  of  strange  revolur 
tions  ;  that  remarkable  changes  have  been  oft  lying  in  the 
bosom  of  a  common  providence  ;  yea,  truly  we  find  both 
scripture,  and  the  observation  of  after  ages,  witness,  that 
the  church's  deliverance  and  relief  did  almost  never  come 
that  way,  by  such  a  method  and  means,  as  she  had  most 
expected  the  same  ;  and  that  God's  time  #  of  working  may 
be  oft  very  contrary  to  our  time  of  expecting. 

I  shall  only  add  ;  is  it  not  oft  seen  (which,  I  am  sure,  all 
ages  can  witness)  how  men's  endeavours  to  darken  the 
truth  by  error,  have  been  the  effectual  means  for  its  further 
clearing  ?  That  the  growing  of  a  trial,  a  violent  and  sore 
exacting  upon  the  church,  hath  kindly  wrought  towards 
her  relief  and  enlargement ;  \\zx  meat  hath  been  oft  brought 
even  out  of  the  eaier,  by  means  most  destructive  thereto  ; 
and  a  sword  must  pierce  the  church's  heart,  that  the  thoughts 
of  ninny  may  be  discovered  ;  a  time  of  persecution  must 
help  to  cure  the  divisions  amongst  the  godly,  and  bring 
them  together  in  the  furnace,  which  prosperity  could  not 
do  ;  yea,  it  is  oft  seen,  which  former  ages  can  also  witness, 
that  the  very  undoing  of  the  church  hath  been  God's  bless^ 
ed  way,  to  keep  her  from  being  undone. 

The  Second  Branch,  concerns  those  scripture  threatening s, 
mhich  arc  held  forth  in  the  word,  with  a  respect  to  the  visible 
church,  and  against  a  people  professing  the  gospel ;  that  no 
privileges  they  have  above  others,  shall  exempt  them  from 
judgment,  yea,  and  from  very  sad  strokes  ;  he  hath  known 
them  above  the  rest  of  the  world,  he  therefore  will  contend 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  12? 

with  them  most  severely,  because  of  sin,  and  such  particu- 
lar evils  as  we  find  the  word  threateneth. 

I  touched  a  little  some  scripture  threatening,  in  the  pre- 
ceding argument,  as  concerned  christians  in  tjieir  private 
experience  :  what  I  here  intend,  is  to  point  at  this  truth, 
as  it  is  written  in  the  providences  and  judgments  of  every 
time,  to  men's  observation,  how  judgments  from  the 
Lord,  which  point,  as  with  the  finger,  at  the  abounding 
sins  of  that  time,  do  reach  a  land,  and  particular  churches , 
according  to  the  threatenings  of  the  word.  This  is  indeed 
manifest,  that  the  greatest  promises  made  to  a  people,  we 
find  backed  with  saddest  threatenings  ;  and  -accordingly 
we  find,  the  greatest  monuments  of  wrath  have  usually  be<.n 
set  up,  where  sometimes  the  largest  offers  of  the  gospel 
were  ;  yea,  that  the  anger  of  the  Lord  may  draw  so  deep, 
against  a  people  professing  his  name,  as  to  make  their  land 
desolate,  and  the  high  ways  thereof  mourn  !  for  in  this  pre- 
cinct of  the  church  doth  both  judgment  and  mercy  most 
eminently  shine  forth,  and  the  Lord's  way  there  doth  dif- 
fer from  that  he  hath  with  any  other  people. 

Now  to  clear  this  grave  truth  a  little,  how  those  threat- 
enings of  the  word,  against  a  nation  and  people,  because  of 
sin,  are  also  verified  in  their  judgments,  I  shall  touch  a 
few  instances,  that  are  most  known  and  obvious,  where 
we  may  lay  the  word  and  observation  of  the  church  togeth- 
er, and  see  how  they  answer  one  the  other. 

1.  We  find  the  threatenings  of  the  ivord  do  point  at  the 
time  of  a  people's  judgment.  1  Thcs.  ii.  16.  Rev.  xiv.  15, 
18.  That  when  they////  up  the  measure  of  their  sin,  and 
their  cup  is  full >  the  Lord  will  not  then  defer  the  cxecu- 
tion !  until  the  cup  of  the  A?norites  was  full,  he  did  lei 
them  alone ;  and  we  find  answer  deferred,  to  the  cry  oi 
the  souls  under  the  altar,  for  avenging  their  blood  on  anti- 
christ, because  that  accursed  party  hath  yet  more  to  do 
against  the  church,  and  the  saints  more  to  suffer  under 
their  hand. 

Now  to  witness  the  accomplishment  of  this ;  let  us  but 
consider  what  in  all  times  may  be  observed,  1.  That  there 
is  an  ordinary  growth  and  height  of  sin,  which  a  land  com- 
«th  to,  before  destruction;  some  national  and  universal 
spreading  thereof,  prodigious  outbreakings,  the  utter  re- 
jecting of  reproof,  which  shew  that  a  peopled  case  must 
then  be  on  some  turn  ;  yea,  that  strange  and  unusual  Mu- 
lling useth  to  go  before  some  strange  stroke.  £2.  Before 
judgment  come,  is  it  not  seen,  how  the  sin  of  a  people  kith 
become  so  daring,  that  it  hath  had  a  loud  cry?  yea,  their 
case  hath  been  such  as  did  justify  the  Lord's  .procedpr 


128  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture* 

against  them,  even  in  the  conscience  of  all  observers,  that 
he  did  it  not  without  much  cause.  3.  Is  it  not  easy,  for 
such  as  are  wise  to  know  the  times,  to  see  night  coming 
on  a  land,  when  sin  is  at  some  dreadful  height,  by  consid- 
ering the  word  and  the  Lord's  usual  way  with  a  people  in 
such  a  case  ?  Yea,  have  there  not  then  been  some  special 
forewamings,  a  more  than  ordinary  impression  of  judg- 
ment upon  the  spirits  of  the  godly,  and  the  hiding  of  many 
of  them  in  Uie  grave  ;  which,  as  threatening  presages,  have 
shewed  the  near  approach  of  a  stroke.  4.  There  doth  not 
usually  want  even  some  Noah,  or  Jonas,  the  ministers  of 
God  sent  forth  to  threaten,  who  as  watchmen  upon  the 
wall  are  discerning  hazard  at  a  distance  ;  yea,  with  an  ob- 
servable pressure  then  upon  their  spirit,  and  a  more  than 
ordinary  agreement  amongst  themselves,  to  cry  out,  and 
give  the  people  warnings  when  the  time  of  judgment  hath 
been  drawing  near. 

2.  It  is  clear,  there  arc  some  special  evils  and  sins  of  a 
time,  which  we  find  the  word  most  dreadfully  doth  threaten  ; 
yea,  in  a  peculiar  way  it  doth  put  a  mark  upon  them,  that 
though  the  Lord  should  pass  by  many  infirmities  in  a 
church  and  people  professing  his  name  ;  yet,  for  such  and 
such  sins  (as  we  find  in  Amos  i.  3.)  he  will  not  turn  away 
the  punishment  thereof ;  but  hath  solemnly  declared,  by 
his  truth  and  faithfulness,  that  these  shall  not  pass  without 
some  visible  mark,  even  before  the  world,  of  his  anger. 
Now  in  this  the  scripture  is  clear,  and  lets  us  see,  there  are 
some  sins  more  particularly  threatened,  some  land  destroy, 
ing  sins,  that  have  as  it  were  the  mark  set  on  them,  which 
do  especially  provoke  the  holy  indignation  and  jealousy  of 
God  ;  such  as  idolatry,  corrupting  the  worship  of  God  ; 
perjury,  and  covenant  breaking ;  shall  they  break  my 
covenant  and  escape  ?  saith  the  Lord,  Ezek.  xvii.  15. 
Also  departing  from  God,  and  his  way ;  For  this  the  land 
shall  be  desolate,  as  in  Jercm.  ix.  12,  13.  Yea,  blood  guilt- 
iness, which  the  earth  shall  not  cover,  and  for  which  the 
sword  shall  not  depart,  even  from  the  house  and  family  of 
David.  2  Sam.  xii.  10. 

Now  to  evidence  the  accomplishment  hereof,  I  shall 
point  at  some  things  most  obvious  to  the  observation  of 
every  time,  how  terribly  the  Lord  useth  to  plead,  for  such 
things,  and  by  some  exemplary  stroke  and  judgment  point 
them  out,  as  we  find  them  particularly  set  by  themselves 
in  the  word,  and  threatenings  thereof. 

1.  That  in  these  sins,  thus  marked,  men  may  see  how 
their  judgments  use  not  wholly  to  be  deferred  to  another 
world,  but  though  much  is  oft  passed  here,  and  laid  over 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  129 

to  that  last  and  great  judgment,  yet,  upon  such  sins  the 
Lord  hath  put  some  mark  of  his  displeasure,  even  in  this 
life.  2.  That  for  these  he  useth  to  contend  before  the  sun, 
and  in  the  view  of  men  :  his  judgments  are  indeed  oft  se- 
cret, and  do  consume  as  a  moth  ;  but  upon  such  sins,  we 
may  frequently  see,  some  public  and  visible  stroke  is  made 
to  follow,  that  the  world  cannot  pass  without  a  remark. 
3.  That  the  Lord  also  useth  to  be  a  very  swift  witness 
against  such  evils.  For,  as  we  find  the  oppression  of  the 
church  hath  a  loud  cry,  and  the  blood  of  the  saints  a  how 
long  ?  it  is  also  seen  those  forementioned  sins  do  much 
hasten  judgment,  so  as  seldom  that  generation  passe lb 
away  without  some  witness  thereto.  It  is  rarely  found, 
that  some  great  revolt  of  a  people  from  God,  and  breaking 
covenant  with  him,  doth  lie  long  unpunished,  nor  doth  the 
hoary  head  of  the  violent  and  bloody  man  go  oft  to  the 
grave  in  peace.  4.  That  these  sins  use  to  be  followed 
with  some  very  dreadful  and  eminent  stroke,  which  hath 
made  the  land  desolate,  their  cities  sometime  waste,  and  a 
ruinous  heap  ;  yea,  houses  great  and  fair,  to  be  without 
inhabitants  ;  so  as  men  have  with  astonishment  inquired, 
IVhy  is  all  this  come  to  pass  !  and  it  was  easy  to  answer, 
even  for  sue  A  and  suck  evils  hath  the  Lord  done  this,  ac- 
cording to  his  word.  5.  That  a  divine  hand  useth  to  be 
most  discernible  in  the  punishment  of  such  sins,  because 
of  a  very  clear  resemblance  betwixt  them,  and  the  stroke  ; 
which  hath  forced  their  own  conscience,  as  well  as  be- 
holders to  confess  the  righteousness  of  God  therein. 
6.  That  the  Lord  will  put  some  mark  of  his  anger  on  the 
choicest  of  his  servants  for  any  accession  to  such  sins  ;  these 
to  whom  he  hath  given  their  soul  for  a  prey,  have  yet  got 
a  sore  outward  stroke,  upon  such  an  account,  which  hath 
followed  them  to  the  grave  ;  For  this  the  sword  shall  not 
depart  from  David's  house.  Idolatry  rent  the  kingdom 
from  the  posterity  of  Solomon.  Jonas  shall  not  escape  for 
his  rebellion.  Yea,  God  was  wroth  with  Moses,  and  no 
intreaty  shall  hinder  his  dying  in  the  wilderness.  I  may 
add,  bath  not  the  Lord's  controversy  on  this  ground  even 
reached  _  their  posterity  I  Which  may  shew  that  these 
threatenings  are  sad  earnest ;  and  such  sins  are  not  more 
particularly  pointed  at  in  the  word,  than  they  have  been  in 
after  ages  made  exemplary  in  judgment. 

3.  A  people's  lukevuarmness,  their  slighting  of  the  gospel 
and  not  receiving  the  love  of  the  truth,  we  find  sadly  threat- 
ened in  the  word,  Rev.  iii.  15,  J  6.  2  Thess.  ii.  10,  11. 
And  truly  we  must  say,  they  have  not  fallen  to  the  ground 
in  any  age,  without  an  accomplishment,   as  frequent  ob. 


130  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

serration  can  witness.  1. .  How  a  people's  entering  upon  a 
religious  way,  their  pursuing  a  form  of  reformation,  and 
not  thorough  for  God  therein,  hut  on  carnal  grounds,  hatl* 
thus  put  them  in  a  worse  condition  than  before.  For  truly 
men's  hypocrisy  in  going  about  a  good  work,  doth  threaten 
more,  than  the  performance  thereof  cloth  promise.  Jehu 
got  a  temporal  reward,  but  his  posterity  must  at  length 
reckon  for  all  the  blood  of  Jezreel.  2.  That  no  people 
use  to  be  further  from  getting  good  of  the  gospel,  than 
such  who  have  been  under  most  clear  and  greatest  convic- 
tions ;  so  as  it  is  found,  there  is  oft  more  access  to  gain 
amongst  the  savagesy  than  those  who  have  sit  their  day 
while  the  tide  did  flow  ;  yea,  ministers  have  found  most 
discouragement,  to  labour  in  those  parts  where  the  word 
hath  been  long  preached  with  power.  3.  It  is  seen,  how 
light  not  improved  will  turn  a  people  more  gross •,  and  is 
usually  followed  with  some  remarkable  growth  in  sin  ; 
that  die  more  the  word  doth  put  a  restraint  on  men's  cor- 
ruption, the  more  it  rageth  ;  so  as  it  may  be  observed 
what  a, very  black  die,  the  powerful  preaching  of  the  gos- 
pel hath  put  upon  a  people,  as  a  visible  mark  of  judgment 
on  such  who  profit  not  thereby.  4.  Is  it  not  seen  how 
men's  formality  in  the  matters  of  God  hatlrbeen  oh  pun* 
ishcd  even  with  the  taking  away  of  the  form?  Yea,  that 
seldom  error  and  delusion  doth  want  a  harvest  amongst  i\ 
people  who  receive  not  the  truth  in  love.  5.  Hath  not 
slighting  of  the  gospel  been  at  last  followed  with  some  visible 
restraint  and  inhibition  both  upon  the  ordinances  and  dis- 
pensers thereof,  a  judicial  withdrawing  of  the  Sprit,  as  to 
the  work  of  conversion  and  conviction  ;  whereby  the  Lord 
doth  plainly  cease  to  lye  a  reprover  to  such;  yea,  even 
saith,  bind  up  the  law  and  seal  the  testimony. 

The  word  doth  also  threaten  carnal  security  (a  disease 
whereof  the  church  is  oft  in  great  hazard)  yea,  we  find  it 
holds  forth  a  certain  connection  betwixt  spiritual  judgments 
upon  a  people,  and  some  outward  strokes  to  follow  there- 
on ;  that  those  who  are  under  that  first  wo  and  plague 
upon  their  spirits,  are  then  near  to  some  judgment  upon 
their  persons,  and  may  expect  a  sharp  wakening  ;  in  hear- 
ing they  shall  not  understand,  &c.  but  the  close  is,  until 
their  cities  be  consumed  without  inhabitants,  and  there  be 
an  utter  desolation  :  yea,  we  find,  judgment  doth  begin  as 
a  moth,  in  that  5th  ofHos.  but  in  the  14th  ven  it  doth  turn 
-At  last  to  be  a  lion.  We  may  truly  say,  the  fulfilling  of 
this  hath  in  all  ages  of  the  church  been  obvious.  1.  That 
as  the  first  part  of  the  church's  deliverance  is  usually  spir- 
itual, so  it  is  found  the  first  step  of  judgment,  and  thcexer 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  131 

eutlon  thereof  against  a  people,  hath  been  upon  their  spir- 
its ;  that  serious  discerners  of  the  time  might  know,  *  the 
night  was  fast  coming  on,  and  some  sad  outward  stroke 
on  a  land,  by  the  abounding  of  spiritual  judgments.  2.  It 
is  clear  the  most  dreadful  strokes  that  ever  came  on  a  par- 
ticular church,  do  usually  find  it  in  such  a  case,  judicially 
hardened,  and  under  many  warnings  plagued  with  security. 
Thus  did  the  flood  find  the  old  world ;  and  before  that  deso- 
lating stroke  on  Jerusalem  by  the  Romans,  were  not  the 
Jews  in  such  a  case  ?  Sahian  can  tell  how  it  was  with  the 
African  churches,  before  that  dreadful  inundation  of  the 
Goths  and  Vandals  ;  yea,  the  church's  records  in  all  ages 
do  witness,  that  before  any  sad  stroke  or  persecution  came 
upon  a  people,  a  deep  sleep  and  lethargy  hath  been  previous 
thereto ;  gray  hairs  might  have  been  seen  upon  them  ; 
and  the  word  doth  even  shew,  that  this  will  be  the  last  dis- 
ease, whereof  the  church  shall  be  sick  before  the  great  day 
of  the  Lord.  3.  It  is  also  seen  how  spiritual  judgments, 
when  they  grow  upon  a  people,  make  great  dispatch,  and 
do  quickly  ripen  for  some  further  stroke  ;  that  when  men 
have  run  down  their  conscience,  and  are  past  reproof  of  the 
word,  going  on  from  evil  to  worse,  the  case  cometh  then 
to  be  clear,  and  ready  for  the  final  discussion  of  the  pro- 
cess. 

5.  The  word  doth  denounce  wo  against  the  troublers  of 
the  church,  and  those  who  are  her  persecutors  ;  that  the 
Lord  shall  recompense  tribulation  to  such^  and  plead  with  her 
oppressors  :  the  accomplishment  whereof  hath  been  truly 
manifest,  yea,  to  the  observation  even  of  the  world.  Isa. 
x.  5.  2  Thes.  i.  6.  First,  that  eminent  oppressors  of  the 
church  have  seldom  gone  out  of  the  world,  without  some 
mark  of  divine  anger  upon  them.  Surely  if  there  were  a 
record  of  such  instances,  that  in  every  age  have  been  con- 
spicuous, men  would  be  forced  to  see,  and  say-  that  the 
most  noted  enemies  and  persecutors  of  the  saints  have  been 
also  the  most  convincing  and  noted  examples  of  judgment 
in  the  time.  2.  That  the  church's  suffering  useth  to  go 
before  a  day  of  vengeance  on  the  instruments  thereof.  We 
find,  Jehu  got  an  outward  reward  for  executing  the  judg- 
ment of  God  on  his  enemies  :  but  as  for  those  men  who 
have  been  the  rod  of  the  church,  it  hath  been  seen,  that  they 
have  not  long  wanted  some  scourge  as  sore  upon  them- 
selves, as  they  have  been  to  his  people,  and  that  at  last 
these  have  paid  dear  for  their  service.  3.  We  may  see 
how  this  also  doth  help  to  finish  the  controversy  of  God, 
with  men  and  their  houses  ;  that  for  this  he  hath  taken  many 
away  in  the  midst  of  their  days,  and  made  them  cease  to  be* 


132  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture'* 

who  would  not  cease  to  trouble  the  church,  while  they  had 
a  being ;  yea  that  he  had  taken  them  in  his  own  hand,  whom 
men  could  not  reach,  and  made  their  downcasting  in  the 
midst  of  themselves. 

6.  Doth  not  the  scripture  threaten  carnal  confidence ,  in 
a  people  ;  the  putting  of  their  trust  in  man,  or  in  any  out- 
ward instruments  ?  Jer.  xvii.  5,  6,  17.  To  clear  the  ac- 
complishment whereof  let  us  but  compare  the  word,  and 
the  church's  observation  together ;  and  we  shall  find,  1. 
That  outward  means  have  never  more  miscarried,  than 
when  most  promising,  and  when  there  was  greatest  expec- 
tation from  the  same  ;  yea,  that  very  eminent  instruments* 
when  much  leaned  to,  have  been  observably  blasted,  and 
made  to  shrink  under  such  a  burden.  2.  That  those  whom 
the  Lord  had  made  much  use  of,  yea,  honoured  to  be  great 
instruments  in  the  service  of  the  church,  have  oft  had  some 
discernible  blot,  to  reprove  men's  overlading  of  instruments, 
with  their  esteem  ;  a  Tertullian,  an  Origen  in  ancient 
times,  yea,  even  a  Luther,  in  these  latter  ages  must  go  with 
some  halt  to  the  grave.  3.  That  many  who  have  been 
useful  in  the  church  for  a  time*  the  Lord  doth  oft  lay  by  ; 
yea,  maketh  not  use  of  them  to  the  end  :  but,  the  last  may 
be  made  first.  And  truly  that  excess  in  men's  esteem,  put- 
ting  a  further  weight  on  some  means,  than  they  could  bear, 
hath  oft  helped  to  render  many  useless.  4.  Is  it  not  also 
seen,  how  one  extremity  is  thus  plagued  with  another  ? 
none  more  ready  to  shrink  in  a  day  of  trouble,  than  such 
who  at  a  distance  seemed  most  daring;  yea,  none  more 
ready  to  fall  into  that  excess  of  undervaluing  instru- 
ments, than  those  who  have  most  exceeded  upon  the  other 
hand. 

7.  Do  we  not  find  the  word  threaten,  and  in  a  special 
way  point  at  corrupt  ministers,  unfaithful  watchmen,  who 
give  not  warning  to  the  church  ;  those  shepherds  that  feed 
themselves,  but  not  the  flock,  the  leaders  of  a  people  that 
cause  them  to  err,  and  by  their  practice,  to  stumble  at  the 
law  ?  Mai  ii.  3,  4. 

The  accomplishment  whereof  hath  in  all  ages  been  very 
discernible.  First,  how  such  have  usually  been  most  not- 
ed as  the  greatest  and  most  violent  enemies,  which  the  church 
hath  at  any  time  had  ;  yea,  that  no  course  hath  been  so  evil 
and  gross  that  hath  wanted  some  of  these  to  help  it  on, 
whose  hatred  and  persecution  of  the  godly  hath  been  found 
to  exceed  the  most  openly  profane  and  profligate  in  that 
time.  2.  That  as  they  are  particularly  threatened  above 
others  in  the  word,  so  they  get  also  some  remarkable  cast 
above  others  in  their  judgment,  and  having  once  lost  their 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  135 

savour,  become  vile  and  loathsome,  even  to  the  worst  of 
men ;  are  contemptible  in  the  eyes  of  such  whom  they 
seek  in  a  sinful  way  to  please  ;  yea,  have  a  worse  savour, 
than  the  profanest  wretches  ;  that  being  verified  in  them, 
Corruptio  optimi,  pessima.  3.  That  these  do  seldom  make 
h  good  retreat  from  an  evil  way  :  so  as  it  is  an  usual  obser- 
vation, it  is  rare  for  churchmen  to  repent,  or  a  fallen  star 
to  shine  again.  4.  Are  not  such  oft  smitten  even  in  their 
gifts  ;  which  we  may  see  wither,  and  dry  up  upon  them, 
while  not  faithfully  improved  ;  yea,  to  the  very  conviction 
of  their  hearers,  to  have  lost  that  edge  which  once  they  had 
in  their  ministry  ?  5.  I  must  add  another  remark  (though  I 
desire  to  deal  with  fear,  and  much  tenderness,  in  such  an 
application  of  the  judgment  of  God,)  how  the  Lord  doth 
oft  put  some  note  of  his  wrath  on  the  children  and  of  spring 
of  unfaithful  ministers  ;  that  it  hath  been  seen,  none  more 
wretched  and  gross  :  whereto  as  their  evil  practice  and  ex- 
ample hath  been  a  special  help,  so  likewise  are  they  thus 
punished  of  the  Lord,  who  did  not  seek  to  beget  children  to 
him,  by  the  word,  but  through  their  way  did  rather  cause 
many  to  err  and  fall. 

Third  Branch.  Having  spoke  something  how  the  scrip, 
ture  both  as  to  the  promises,  and  threatenings  thereof,  is 
evidently  fulfilled  in  the  Lord's  ordinary  way  of  procedure 
with  his  church,  I  would  a  little  further  follow  this  argu- 
ment, How  this  also  hath  a  manifold  accomplishment \  even 
in  these  most  strange  and  dark  passages  of  providence, 
whereat  men  are  ready  to  stumble  and  challenge  the  spot- 
less righteousness  of  God,  and  his  faithfulness  therein ;  but 
if  we  lay  them  to  that  measure,  and  line  of  the  word  which 
is  stretched  over  the  whole  work  of  providence,  we  will 
see  how  well  these  do  agree,  and  answer  one  to  the  other, 
yea,  that  all  the  paths  wherein  God  walketh  towards  his 
church,  and  people,  are  surely  mercy,  and  truth. 

To  clear  this  I  shall  point  at  some  footsteps  of  the  provi- 
dence of  God  in  the  world,  and  about  the  church  which 
would  seem  most  dark,  yea,  a  contradiction  to  his  word, 
and  promise,  but  are  plain  and  manifest,  if  weighed  in  the 
balance  of  the  the  sanctuary,  where  we  may  have  a  sat- 
isfying look,  and  resolution  of  these  things,  which  other- 
wise would  be  too  hard  for  us  to  understand,  and  may  see, 
how  straight  these  paths  are  which  we  thought  crooked  ; 
yea,  how  easy  and  passable,  the  greatest  deeps  of  provi- 
dence would  be,  both  as  to  God's  way  with  his  church, 
and  in  our  own  particular  case,  when  once  they  are  set  over 
against  the  word.  1  shall  touch  this  a  little  in  these  follow- 
ing instances. 


134  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

1.  It  may  seem  strange  how  the  churchys  trouble  and 
strait  is  oft  seen  to  increase,  with  the  first  stirrings  of  her 
deliverance ;  yea,  when  some  remarkable  mercy  and 
outgate  is  in  the  bringing  forth,  the  first  step  thereof  would 
seem  to  put  her  further  back,  and  in  a  worse  condition 
than  before.  This  is  indeed  a  piece  of  the  Lord's  way  with 
his  church,  which  in  many  instances  may  be  witnessed,  but 
let  us  take  the  word  along  therewith,  and  we  will  find, 
1.  How  the  church  is  oft  at  the  brink  of  the  grave,  even 
when  her  case  is  upon  a  turn,  and  how  it  is  congruous  to 
his  way  (whose  paths  are  in  the  deep  waters,  who  clotheth 
himself  with  darkness,  that  men  should  not  find  any  thing 
after  him,  or  lay  down  absolute  conclusions  concerning 
his  dealing)  that  the  motions  of  providence  should  be  oft 
so  perplexed,  and  various.  2.  Did  not  the  case  of  the 
church  in  Egypt  seem  much  worse,  their  burdens  doubled 
upon  them,  even  when  their  deliverance  was  breaking  up  ? 
3,  Joseph  to  be  sold  as  a  slave,  and  in  Egypt  turned  into 
a  dungeon,  would  seem  steps  of  providence,  very  unlike 
the  thing  which  God  was  driving  at  thereby,  and  yet  we 
see  how  kindly  these  did  work  towards  the  same.  4.  The 
church,  in  Micah  iv.  10,  when  she  was  even  at  the  door 
next  to  a  deliverance,  her  trial  vyas  even  at  the  greatest 
height,  be  in  pain,  and  labour  to  bring  forth,  for  ye  shall  go 
to  Babylon,  and  there  be  delivered:  but  sorest  pangs  in  the 
birth  do  usnally  promise  the  best  issue.  5.  It  was  the  step 
of  the  providence  of  God,  which  of  all  seemed  most  dread- 
ful to  the  church  in  Esther,  the  sealing  of  the  decree,  and 
sending  it  forth  to  root  out  the  whole  seed  of  the  Jews, 
while  Haman  still  flourished,  but  lo  this  was  the  very  step 
that  wrought  most  thoroughly  for  her  deliverance  ;  and  is 
not  a  wet  mourning  seed  time,  a  scripture  presage  of  a  good 
harvest. 

2.  The  sore  interruptions  which  a  people's  endeavow  sfor 
reformation,  and  to  promote  the  kingdom  of  Christ  have  met 
with,  even  when  set  about  with  a  clear  call,  yea,  solemn 
and  serious  engagements  to  God,  would  seem  strange, 
and  a  shaking  piece  of  providence  :  and  truly  this  is  oft 
seen,  as  an  usual  attendant  on  reformation,  how  insupera- 
ble like  difficulties,  and  unexpected  lets  do  grow  up  in  the 
way  thereof:  thus  when  Luther,  and  other  instruments 
were  raised  up  in  Germauy,  to  pursue  the  church's  refor- 
mation, what  cruel  edicts  were  then  set  forth  to  give  it  a 
dash  ?  division  among  themselves,  the  rising  up  of  the 
Boors,  and  Anabaptists :  what  a  pure,  and  thorough  refor- 
mation was  on  foot  under  Edward the  sixth,  in  England, 
and  what  a  dreadful  storm  did  quickly  break  it  up,  for  that 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture:  135 

time  ?  and  I  would  add,  what  the  present  case  of  the  church- 
es in  Britain,  and  Ireland,  may  at  this  day  witness,  where 
once  the  Lord  so  eminently  appeared  in  a  begun  reforma- 
tion, which  now  is  at  so  great  a  stand,  but  let  us  go  into  the 
scripture  with  this,  and  we  wiil  find,  I.  There  is  a  live- 
ly portrait  of  providence  in  the  affairs  of  the  church  held 
forth  in  that  vision  which  EzekielYw&ot  the  wheels  at  the 
river  Chebar,  whose  mysterious  motions,  and  turning  so 
cross  one  to  the  other,  without  any  discord  therein,  as  to 
the  end,  to  which  they  were  directed,  doth  witness  the  ra- 
tional, and  wise  conduct  of  providence  :  the  Lord's  work 
about  his  church  is  a  most  shadowed  and  elaborate  piece, 
which  men  cannot  see,  before  their  eye,  as  they  see  behind 
upon  a  review,  while  ordinary  causes  do  oft  vary  in  their 
operation,  yea,  go  out  of  the  common  road,  but  scripture 
will  make  this  very  plain.  2.  Was  not  Nebemiah,  Ezra* 
and  Zerobabel  at  their  work,  and  duty,  and  had  an  express 
call  for  building  of  the  temple,  yet,  how  great,  and  frequent 
interruptions  did  they  find,  sometimes  environed  with  dif- 
ficulties, Zech.  iv.  7.  Who  art  thou,  great  mountain,  before 
Zerobabel  ?  Yea,  they  were  put  to  hold  the  sword  and 
build,  to  watch  and  work  at  once,  because  of  their  enemies. 
3.  What  a  very  sore  backset  was  the  church  at,  Hab.  3. 
Revive  thy  work,  0  Lord,  in  the  midst  of  the  years.  This 
was  both  a  great  and  long  interruption,  yea,  do  we  not  find 
her  almost  at  a  nonplus,  with  a  query  which  no  visible  ap- 
pearance could  answer,  by  whom  shall  Jacob  arise,  for  he 
is  small  ?  4.  We  find  a  special  reformation  set  on  foot 
by  Hezekiah,  with  a  solemn  covenant,  by  the  princes, 
priests,  and  body  of  the  people,  with  a  setting  up  of  the 
pure  worship,  and  ordinances  of  God,  but  lo  a  sharp  storm 
is  soon  after,  by  Sennacherib  ;  yea,  Hezekiah  scarcely  is 
in  his  grave,  when  his  son  doth  bring  in  corruption,  and 
persecution  both  at  once  ;  and  when  the  christian  church 
in  the  times  of  the  apostles  began  to  flourish,  success  fol- 
lowing the  gospel,  did  not  a  sad  interruption,  and  scattering 
follow.  Acts  viii.  5.  This  is  promised  that  Zioiis  walls 
shall  even  in  troublesome  times  be  built ;  and  her  being 
brought  to  a  heap  of  rubbish  was  but  making  way  for  a 
further  advance,  that  in  the  building  of  her  again,  the  Lord 
might  appear  in  his  glory  ;  and  is  it  not  clear,  that  Clirist 
coming  in  the  gospel,  and  power  thereof  to  purge  his 
church,  and  carry  on  a  reformation,  Mai.  iii.  4,  proveth  a 
searching  and  trying  time  which  men  cannot  endure,  for 
the  power  of  the  \\  ord,  and  clear  discovery  of  sin,  and  oth- 
er shaking  dispensations  which  do  usually  attend  such 
times,  and  torment  them  who  dwell  on  the  earth,  yeaj  and 


136  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

put  the  devil,  and  corruption  of  men  aloft,  with  all  rage  to 
oppose  the  same. 

3.  That  a  sad  overclouding,  and  darkness  should  come  on 
a  land  after  most  special  manifestation  of  the  power  and 
glory  of  God  therein,  and  that  a  time  of  the  gospel  with 
much  light  should  be  so  near  a  forerunner  of  wrath,  and 
judgment,  would  seem  a  strange  piece  of  providence,  and 
cause  a  serious  inquiry  how  such  eminent  appearances  of 
God  for  a  people,  such  great  confirmations,  observable 
success  for  a  time,  with  many  signal  encouragements, 
should  all  seem  to  resolve  in  a  desolating  stroke,  and  ruin  ? 
This  may  be  instanced  in  that  protestant  war  in  France, 
where  instruments  were  remarkably  raised,  fitted  of  th» 
Lord  for  the  service  of  that  time,  had  much  of  his  presence 
and  countenance,  yet  to  resolve  thus  in  a  bloody  massa- 
cre ;  likewise  these  confederate  German  princes,  Saxony , 
and  Landgrave  of  Hesse,  men  eminent  for  piety,  carried 
forth  with  much  zeal  for  God,  for  defence  of  the  truth,  yea, 
in  the  beginning  of  that  war,  having  many  promising  en- 
couragements, yet,  remarkably  deserted  of  the  Lord,  with 
very  sad  like  consequences  following  the  same.  Let  us 
consider  also  the  late  Bohemian  war,  stated  upon  necessa- 
ry defence  of  religion  and  liberty,  and  at  first  attended  with 
some  smiling  providences,  should  resolve  into  so  great  a 
desolation,  and  ruin  :  yea,  the  church  of  Ireland,  O,  what 
a  dreadful  massacre  of  the  protestants  there  did  quickly 
follow  one  of  the  most  solemn  times  of  the  power  of  God 
and  outpouring  of  the  spirit  that  we  ever  heard  of  since  the 
days  of  the  apostles.  I  confess  this  may  have  a  strange  as- 
pect, and  is  a  part  of  the  marvellous  ways  of  the  Lord  ;  but 
when  we  take  it  into  the  word,  we  will  find  there  is  no  jar, 
or  discord  here,  for,  L  It  might  seem  as  strange,  and  as- 
tonishing what  Baruch  got  from  the  Lord  in  answer  to  his 
complaint,  Jerem.  xlv.  that  he  would  pluck  up  what  he 
had  planted,  and  cast  down  that  which  he  had  built,  for  a 
work  to  be  thus  thrown  down,  where  the  Lord  had  once 
so  eminently  appeared  and  given  his  people  many  confirm- 
ations, might  then  occasion  great  thoughts  of  heart,  yet  the 
unspotted  righteousness  of  God,  and  his  truth  was  appar- 
ent therein  ;  yea,  after  that  discourse,  and  all  these  large 
promises,  which  Christ  gave  his  disciples  in  that  sixteenth 
of  John,  we  find  all  is  shut  up  with  that,  the  hour  is  com- 
ing, and  now  is,  that  ye  shall  be  scattered,  %  What 
strange  providences  did  try  the  church  in  the  wilderness, 
sometime  brought  back  to  the  Red  sea,  tried  with  hunger, 
and  nakedness,  consumed  with  various  strokes,  and  many 
years  wandering  until  most  of  that  generation,  who  came 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  13? 

out  of  Egypt,  filled  their  graves  in  the  journey,  and  yet 
this  was  after  most  eminent  confirmations,  and  as  clear 
signs  of  God's  presence  as  ever  people  had.  3.  We  find 
a  public  reformation  most  zealously  prosecuted  by  jfosias, 
which  looked  like  the  renewed  espousals  of  that  land  with 
Gon,  by  a  solemn  covenant,  yet,  quickly  after  night  came 
on  that  land  with  a  long  captivity,  and  Josias  did  fall  by  the 
sword.  4.  Was  there  not  a  bright  sun-blink,  and  flourish- 
ing plantation  of  the  gospel  in  Judea,  a  little  before  the  des- 
olation of  that  land  by  the  Romans,  yea,  we  will  find  it 
clear  from  the  word  that  times  of  much  light,  and  reforma- 
tion do  much  sooner  ripen  for  a  stroke  than  any  other  times. 
5.  It  is  very  manifest  that  particular  churches  have  their 
day,  where  the  gospel  hath  its  appointed  work,  and  their 
stroke  at  last  may  reach  the  length  of  removing  the  candle- 
stick. I  truly  think  that  sad  instance  of  Bohemia's  case 
may  have  this  observable  in  it,  that  it  had  longer  day,  and 
enjoyment  of  the  light  even  from  the  times  of  John  IIus, 
and  Jerom  of  Prague,  which  was  near  an  100  years  before 
there  was  any  daybreak  on  other  parts,  so  that  we  would 
consider  if  their  night  did  come  soon  on,  that  their  day 
was  also  much  longer,  yea,  the  stroke  might  try  with  the 
ebb  of  the  tide,  when  their  harvest  was  much  gathered  in, 
under  so  long  a  continuance  of  the  gospel,  though  1  dare 
not  think  the  Lord's  work  is  utterly  extinct  there,  but 
that  Bohemia's  dead  and  withered  root  hath  life  yet  in  it, 
^nd  shall  once  again  bud  forth. 

4.  Is  it  not  usually  seen  iv hen  judgment  cometh  on  a  laud, 
that  the  godly  get  the  first  stroke  ?  but  let  us  also  consider 
this  in  the  word,  where  it  is  clear,  1.  That  judgment  must 
begin  at  the  house  of  God,  and  the  green  tree  ;  and  that 
the  church's  trouble,  and  persecution  is  a  forerunner  of 
vengeance  on  her  adversaries,  do  we  not  find,  there  is  a 
cup  of  the  judgment  ofGop  ?  And  O  the  list  is  of  a  strong 
composition,  for  the  wine  is  red  and  mixed,  and  the  dreg 
very  thick  which  is  reserved  for  the  trou biers  of  the  church, 
and  for  such  who  are  at  ease  in  a  day  of  her  grief,  and  truly 
they  have  the  advantage  that  drink  first,  Blessed  are  they 
whom  thou  chastenest,  £sfc.  that  they  may  rest  in  the  day  of 
their  adversity,  until  the  pit  be  digged  for  the  wicked,  yea, 
Rev.  iii.  10,  we  find  keeping  of  the  word  of  patience, 
which  doth  import  suffering  to  the  church,  goeth  before 
some  more  universal  stroke  ;  and  in  that  day  proveth  the 
safety,  and  protection  of  the  people  of  God.  2.  It  is  also 
clear  that  men  may  be  raised  up  of  the  Lord,  and  followed 
with  success,  when  he  hath  them  for  a  rod  to  his  church, 
but  that  at  last  Ashur  the  rod  of  my  wrath  will  1  cast  in  the 

s 


1 3-8  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

fire,  saith  the  Lord,  it  is  truly  an  evidence  of  great  wrath 
upon  a  party  to  be  made  the  rod,  and  executioners  of  judg- 
ment upon  the  people  of  God,  for  they  shall  pay  for  it,  by 
some  sadder  stroke  than  any  trouble  or  suffering  whereof 
they  have  been  instruments. 

5.  That  prosperity,  and  success  should  follow  sometimes 
the  worst  of  men  in  an  evil  course \  and  cause  such  a  concur- 
rence, and  series  of  providence,  asseemeth  to  smile  on 
them  even  to  the  bringing  of  their  sinful  devices  to  pass, 
while  the  people  of  God  have  been  made  to  fall  in  a  just 
quarrel  before  their  adversary,  would  seem  an  astonishing 
providence,  but  let  us  lay  it  fore  against  the  word,  and 
there  we  will  see,  1.  That  there  is  a  prosperity  which 
tendetli  to  destruction,  Prov.  i,  32.  the  tabernacles  of  the 
robbers  prosper,  Job  xii.  6.  and  they  that  provoke  God 
are  secure,  into  whose  hands  he  bringeth  abundantly,  but 
they  do  not  see  that  wickedness  is  its  own  punishment,  and 
how  it  is  a  dreadful  stroke  to  thrive  in  an  ill  course.  Was 
not  the  church  shaken  with  such  a  providence^  Mai.  iii. 
15.  Yea,  tempted  to  call  the  proud  happy,  but  in  the  ver. 
18.  they  were  taught  from  further  observation  to  discern  or 
put  a  difference  between  the  righteous  and  the  wicked.  2. 
Do  we  not  find  that  even  the  signs,  and  predictions  of  false 
prophets,  in  favour  of  a  sinful  way,  may  come  to  pass, 
Deut.  xiii.  1,  2.  whereof  the  church  is  there  warned,  and 
God's  intent  in  the  same  cleared,  that  it  is  for  the  trial  of 
his  people,  whether  they  will  Icve  and  fear  the  Lord,  and 
cleave  to  his  way,  when  providence  would  seem  to  shine 
on  a  crooked  path.  3.  Did  not  success  for  a  time  attend 
Absalom  ?  Israel  as  one  man  went  after  him,  yea,  the 
friends  and  counsellors  of  David;  a  fair  wind  did  also 
favour  Haman  in  his  essay  to  ruin  the  church.  Jeremy  is 
almost  shaken  with  it,  yea,  they  have  taken  root,  yea,  they 
grow,  and  bring  forth  fruit.  But  is  not  this  at  last  usual- 
ly found  an  ominous  weather  breeder  before  a  storm  ? 
though  the  brutish  man  knoweth  not,  nor  fools  lay  it  to 
heart  for  what  the  wicked  doth  oft  spring,  and  flourish.  I 
would  add  Israel's  falling  before  Benjamin,  it  was  an  aston- 
ishing like  providence  ;  and  Habakkuk  was  put  to  a  stand 
with  such  a  thing,  why  the  Lord  looked  on,  while  the  wick- 
ed devoured  the  righteous.  Yea,  Joshua  was  to  cry  out 
in  an  amazement,  0  Lord,  what  shall  I  say,  when  Israel 
turneth  their  back  before  their  enemies  !  But  we  have  also 
the  Lord's  intent  therein  witnessed  by  his  word,  that  this  is 
to  humble  and  prove  his  people,  that  he  may  do  them  good 
in  the  latter  end;  and  thus  he  beateth  them  oft' from  all  car- 
nal grounds  of  confidence  ;  he  woundeth  them  to  a  cure  ; 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  139 

that  by  bringing  them  low,  he  may  raise  and  fit  them  for  a 
further  mercy. 

6.  What  great  disappointments  hath  the  church  met  \mth% 
when  outward  grounds  of  confidence,  and  ordinary  means 
have  been  most  promising,  as  it  is  a  thing  most  true,  so  it 
may  seem  strange  at  the  first  look  :  but  let  us  bring  it  to 
the  word  and  the  case  will  be  there  answered.  Deut. 
xxxii.  Why  should  one  chase  a  thousand,  but  because  their 
rock  hath  sold  them  !  and  therefore  their  strength  is  gone, 
with  the  Lord's  departing  from  them.  For,  when  a  time 
of  judgment  is  come,  even  the  mighty  then  find  not  their 
hands,  counsel  faileth  to  the  ancient^  ordinary  means 
bring  not  forth  their  wonted  effects  :  which  Solomon  shew- 
eth,  and  after  ages  have  oft  seen,  The  race  not  ever  to  the 
swift,  nor  the  battle  to  the  strong.  ^  It  is  also  clear  from 
the  word,  how  threatening  a  condition  that  is,  for  the  peo- 
ple of  God  to  be  much  carried  out  after  means,  or  lifted  up 
therewith  :  Isa.  xxx.  they  will  ride  on  horses,  and  this  shall 
be  their  punishment.  But  on  the  other  hand,  the  Lord's 
way  in  bringing  forth  his  greatest  works,  hath  not  been  by 
might  and  by  power,  but  oft  by  means  most  improbable, 
and  unexpected. 

7.  The  long  continuance  of  a  heavy  afflicting  rod  on  the 
church,  without  the  appearance  of  an  escape,  or  any  return 
to  much  wrestling  and  prayer  on  that  account  may  seem 
a  strange  step  in  God's  way  with  his  people.  But  the 
word  will  answer  us  in  such  a  case  where  it  is  clear,  1.  That 
there  are  no  bounds  in  the  scripture  set  to  the  continuance 
of  a  trial.  It  doth  not  tell  how  long  a  sharp  storm  may  lie 
on,  either  as  to  the  church,  or  any  particular  christian  ;  for 
it  is  a  piece  of  the  Lord's  secret  counsel,  but  not  of  that 
which  is  revealed  :  it  is  enough,  that  we  know  from  it, 
that  men  cannot  make  the  church's  suffering  longer,  than 
God's  time.  2.  It  was  a  long  term  that  of  Israel's  trial  in 
Egypt  ;  and  after  under  the  captivity,  three  hundred  and 
ninety  days  must  the  church  lie  on  her  left  side.  O  how 
many  a  sad  day  and  wearisome  night  was  there  in  that  word 
seventy  weeks  are  determined  upon  thy  people,  and  city  Je- 
rusalem. 3.  Have  not  the  saints  under  a  long  trouble 
gone  almost  the  length  of  blasphemy,  in  their  complaints  ! 
Isa.  xl.  27.  My  way  is  hid  from  the  Lord,  and  my  judg- 
ment passed  over  from  my  God.  Daniel,  how  pressing  with 
the  Lord  was  he,  that  he  would  hearken,  and  do  and  not  de- 
fer !  and  yet  the  return  cometh  not  until  the  first  year  of 

Cyrus.  Yea,  that  cry  of  the  souls  under  the  altar  ;  How 
long!  doth  it  not  even  get  a  dilatory  answer  ?  for  thus  the  Lord 
doth  oft  interpose  his  long  suffering  for  some  time,  betwixt 


1 40  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

his  people,  and  avenging  of  them.  4.  It  is  also  clear  that 
there  are  many  prayers  before  the  throne,  the  return 
whereof  is  suspended,  and  an  answer  to  christians,  in  their 
particular,  until  that  time  when  God  shall  build  up  Zion, 
and  then  the  prayer  of the  destitute  shall  be  remembered, 
even  as  to  christians'  private  enlargement,  when  the  church 
shall  be  raised  up.  ^  5.  We  know  the  church's  enemies 
must  have  time  to  ripen,  and  it  is  not  a  storm  of  a  few  days, 
that  will  purge  away  the  filth  of  the  daughter  of  Zion. 
Too  soon  letting  out  of  a  sore  may  cause  it  to  putrify  the 
more,  and  gather  new  matter.  And  truly  the  word  can  re- 
solve us  in  this,  that  one  minute  sooner  than  God's  time 
would  not  be  his  people's  mercy. 

8.  It  is  oft  seen  when  there  is  some  remarkable  work  of 
God  on  foot  in  a  land,  and  some  great  outpouring  of  the 
spirit,  how  satan  setteth  up  some  usual  counterfeit  thereof 
and  bringeth  forth  something  of  his  work  in  such  a  time, 
with  a  very  strange  resemblance  of  the  same.  Thus,  with 
the  preaching  of  the  freedom  of  grace,  and  a  clear  discov- 
ery of  that  truth,  did  libertinism  under  a  very  specious 
pretext  spring  up.  Thus  we  find  the  anabaptist,  and  anti- 
7Jomian  party,  set  up  in  Germany,  to  run  down  a  church  re- 
formation, under  the  shew  of  a  more  pure  and  spiritual 
way  :  and  of  late  did  not  Familism  in  England,  under  pre- 
text of  a  more  spiritual  dispensation,  cast  off  the  very  letter 
of  the  scripture,  turning,it  over  into  allegory  and  in  behalf 
of  the  liberty  of  prophesying,  cry  down  a  standing  minis- 
try ?  but  though  this  may  seem  strange,  yet  the  scripture 
is  very  clear,  concerning  it ;  1.  That  even  satan  himself  is. 
transformed  into  an  angel  of  light,  and  in  no  shape  proveth 
more  dangerous  to  the  church.  2.  That  the  most  dread- 
ful errors  and  a  false  way  will  oft  come  near  to  the  choic-. 
est  exercises  of  the  saints,  and  have  such  a  resemblance  to 
the  same,  that  if  it  were  possible  the  very  elect  should  be  de- 
ceived. 3.  Was  there  not  a  Simon  Magus  with  false  mir- 
acles set  up  over  against  the  apostles  ?  and  when  the  time 
of  the  Messias  drew  near,  did  not  then  a  Thcudas  ;  and 
Judas  of  Galilee,  break  forth  to  amuse  the  people?  We 
find  also  an  altar  from  Damascus  set  up  beside  that  which 
way  shewed  to  Moses  the  servant  of  the  Lord  in  the  mount ; 
yea,  when  Moses  and  Aaron  were  giving  Pharaoh  a 
sign,  anil  did  shew  forth  the  marvellous  power  of  God, 
then  did  the  magicians  cast  down  their  rod  also,  to 
counterfeit  the  same,  by  which  the  heart  of  Pharaoh  was 
hardened. 

9,  The  abounding  of  much  error  end  heresy,  now  in  the 
time  the  gospel,  with  that  swift  growththcrcoi)  which  is  oft 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  141 

seen  where  the  light  most  clearly  shineth,  seems  strange  ; 
yea,  is  a  thing  whereat  many  are  ready  to  stumble,  and 
thus  to  challenge  the  way  of  God  :  but  is  not  the  scripture 
in  this  clearly  verified,  so  that  this  piece  of  providence, 
which  is  so  shaking  to  many,  if  we  take  the  word  along 
with  it,  might  be  a  very  convincing  confirmation  to  us  of 
the  same  ?  For,  1.  We  find  the  apostles,  yea,  Christ  him- 
self hath  given  express  warning  thereof,  that  this  should  be 
one  of  the  special  and  greatest  trials  of  the  christian  church  ; 
whereof  the  Old  Testament  we  find  doth  little  mention,  that 
trial  not  concerning  the  church  then  so  much,  as  these  af- 
tertimes  under  the  Messiah's  kingdom  :  wherein  the  event 
may  be  clearly  seen,  to  answer  these  predictions,  which 
are  so  frequent  thereof  in  the  New  Testament.     2.  Doth 
not  the  event  also  answer  the  word  as  to  that  particular 
way  and  method,  how  error  should  be  propagated,  which 
is  there  clearly  foretold,  by  subtle  undermining,  under  the 
pretext  of  liberty,  with  plausible  insinuations  ?    so  that  we 
must  say,  not  only  as  to  the  matter,  but  with  all  these  dis- 
cernible tokens,  even  upon  the  manner,  the  word  is  made 
out.     3.  Do  we  not  find,  this  should  be  a  judgment  on 
men,  who  receive  not  the  love  of  the  truth  ;  and  that  after 
flourishing  times  of  the  church,  when  he  who  rickth  on  the 
white  horse,  is  gone  forth,  the  black  horse  and  his  rider  doth 
quickly  follow  ?  And  truly  it  is  seen,  that  in  the  time  of 
hottest  persecutions,  the  church  hath  not  been  so  much 
troubled  with  this  adversary,  as  when  she  did  begin  to  get 
rest,  and  most  of  outward  liberty,  nor  yet  so  at  the  first 
breaking  out  of  the  gospel,  as  after  some  time  of  its  contin- 
uance.   4.  Doth  not  the  event  likewise  thos  answer  the 
word,  that  in  the  breaking  out  of  heresy  in  the  church,  a 
spirit  of  error,  the  depths  and  mighty  working  of  Satan 
should  be  seen  ;  which  I  am  sure  is  undeniable,  how  man- 
ifest the  interposing  of  these  powers  of  darkness  is  therein, 
if  we  consider,  1.  Its  marvellous  dispatch  and  growth,  like 
a  plague,  and  the  arrow  that  fiieth  by  day.    2.  With  what 
a  discernible/wry  and  violence  men  are  thus  driven,  as  with 
an  impetuous  current ;  yea,  oft  a  change  on  their  very  nat- 
ural temper  is  seen  most  evidently.     3.  Those  monstrous 
and  horrid  things,  which  are  oft  brought  forth,  may  shew 
whose  hand  is  in  such  a  birth.    4.  That  usual  tendency, 
that  at  last  error  hath  to  looseness  in  practice,  which  as  it 
poisoneth  the  spring,  and  corrupteth  the  leading  faculty, 
the  judgment,  so  we  see,  it  moveth  towards  the  vital  spir- 
its, and  doth  influence  the  conversation  ;  and  the  leprosy 
in  the  head  breaketh  forth  in  blains  through  the  whole  bo- 
dy.   S.  And  do  we  not  see  how  many  gross  and  'profane 


1 42  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

have  been  carried  away  at  such  a  time,  how  few  have  pow- 
er to  stand,  but  are  stiii  carried  from  one  step  to  another  ? 
And  it  is  clear,  the  world^  did  never  put  out  its  rage  so 
much  against  that  way,  as  it  hath  done  against  the  truth, 
except  when  some  outward  interest  maketh  it  a  quarrel. 

10.  These  great  shakings  and  commotions,  that  use  to  at- 
tend the  gospel,  when  it  cometh  in  power  to  a  land  may  also 
seem  strange,  yea,  are  ready  to  make  many  stumble.  But 
is  not  the  word  verified  herein,  what  great  stirs  and  trou- 
bles did  exercise  the  church  after  great  light  in  pouring  out. 
of  the  spirit  ?  Joel  ii.  29.  We  may  there  likewise  see, 
how  this  giveth  the  world  an  alarm,  maketh  the  kings  and 
great  men  of  the  earth  run  together,  to  hinder  the  rising  of 
Christ's  kingdom,  Psal.  ii.  3.  Let  us  break  his  bands,  &c. 
For  truly,  in  all  ages,  Christ's  rising  in  the  gospel  hath  cast 
a  terror  to  its  enemies,  that  this  should  be  their  fall  and  ru- 
in. When  the  apostle  hath  an  effectual  door  opened  in  his 
ministry,  he  hath  also  much  opposition  thereto.  But  on 
the  other  hand,  all  is  still  and  quiet,  while  the  strong  man 
doth  keep  the  house.  Yea,  it  is  clear  from  the  word,  that 
where  the  gospel  cometh  there  is  a  red  flag  hung  forthy 
that  if  men  will  not  receive  the  same,  and  subject  to  him 
who  rideth  on  the  white  horse,  one  shall  come  after,  whose 
work  is  to  take  peace  from  the  earth,  to  put  the  world  in  a 
flame,  and  to  accomplish  the  judgment  of  a  despised  gos- 
pel ;  who  shalldivide  betwixt  the  husband  and  wife,  the 
parents  and  children  :  wherein  our  blessed  Lord  Jesus  is 
express,  Matth.  x.  34.  /  come  not  to  send  peace  on  the 
earth,  but  rather  a  sword.  Which  might  seem  strange 
from  him;  but  it  is  to  tell  men,  if  they  will  not  embrace 
the  offer  of  his  peace,  they  shall  not  have  peace  among 
themsehes.  For  the  message  of  the  gospel  must  cither  be 
the  best,  or  the  worst  sight,  that  ever  a  land  had. 

1 1 .  This  may  seem  strange,  hoiv  in  all  ages  men  of  great- 
est parts  and  learning,  are  such  usual  opposers  of  truth; 
yea,  how  the  most  sober  and  calm  will  even  appear  violent 
in  their  way,  the  more  the  gospel  is  followed  with  power. 
But,  O  !  how  well  doth  this  answer  the  scripture  ?  For  the 
wisdom  of  this  world  is  enmity  to  God.  1  Cor.  iii.  19.  Not 
many  wise  according  to  the  flesh,  comparatively  with  those 
who  hate  the  truth.  Of  all  the  beasts  of  the  field  was  not 
the  serpent  satan's  choice  ?  and  if  there  be  an  Achitophcl 
in  the  time,  at  him  he  will  have  a  special  pull ;  to  such  the 
simplicity  of  the  gospel  is  foolishness  ;  whereat  they  stum- 
ble ;  to  such  Christ  is  a  rock  of  offence.  We  find,  the 
light  doth  torment  them  that  dwell  in  the  earth,  will  cause 
men  to  blaspheme,  and  discover  that  which  would  not  ap~ 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  14§ 

pear,  whilft  they  got  leave  to  enjoy  their  sinful  peace  with- 
out disturbance. 

12.  Those  strange  judgments  which  may  sometimes  befal 
the  saints  in  their  outward  lot,  yea,  sometimes  attended 
with  some  very  astonishing  circumstances,  would  at  the  first 
look  put  men  to  a  stand,  and  to  challenge  the  holy  way  of 
God.  But  let  us  weigh  it  in  that  balance  of  the  scripture, 
and  we  will  find,  I.  That  such  hath  been  the  complaint  of 
the  saints,  the  Lord's  wounding  them  with  the  wound  of  u 
cruel  one  ;  what  a  strange  query  is  that  in  Lament,  ii.  20. 
Behold,  and  consider,  to  whom  thou  hast  done  this  !  shall 
the  women  cat  the  fruit  of  their  womb  ?  shall  the  priest  and 
prophet  be  slain  in  the  sanctuary  of  the  Lord  ?  yea,  did  it 
not  even  to  Solomon  seem  strange,  Eccles.  viii.  14.  That 
there  are  just  men  to  whom  it  happeneth  according  to  the 
work  of  the  wicked  !  2.  It  looked  like  some  strange  stroke 
which  forced  David  to  this  complaint,  my  enemies  cast  ini- 
quity on  me,  and  say  an  evil  disease  (or  as  the  original 
readeth  it,  a  thing  of  Belial)  cleayeth  to  him.  We  find, 
Josias  fell  by  the  sword  ;  Eli,  with  one  stroke,  hath  his 
sons  killed,  his  daughter  in  law  dying,  and  himself  falling 
from  his  seat,  and  breaking  his  neck  :^  yea  Aaron  hath 
both  his  sons  killed  before  his  eyes,  by  an  immediate  stroke 
from  the  Lord.  3.  The  word  doth  also  shewT,  there  is  no 
jar  betwixt  this,  and  the  tenor  of  the  covenant,  which  God 
hath  made  with  his  people  to  punish  their  transgression 
with  rods,  yea,  sometimes  by  a  strange  rod,  while  he  taketh 
not  his  loving  kindness  from  them.  And  do  we  not  find, 
that  a  profitable  trial  may  attend  the  saints,  which  fhe 
world  would  think  a  dreadful  judgment ;  for  great  suffer- 
ings may  be  ordered  of  the  Lord,  to  give  some  great  exam- 
ples thereby  ;  we  have  heard  of  the  patience  of  Job,  and 
have  seen  the  end  of  the  Lord. 

13.  The  gross  falling  of  those  who  have  sometimes  shine  d 
with  much  lustre  in  the  church,  may  be  astonishing  :  but 
here  also  we  may  see  the  scripture  made  out,  for  it  is  clear, 
1.  That  few  instances  of  the  most  eminent  of  the  sa'mts. 
we  have  on  scripture  record,  but  there  is  some  particular 
spot  and  blemish  also  noted,  a  Noah,  Lot,  Moses  and  0a u 
vid,  yea,  under  the  New  Testammt  that  great  apostle  n 
whose  denial  of  his  master  is  set  forth,  to  shew  how  fer 
some  may  fall,  whom  grace  will  again  restore,  and  make 
up.  2.  It  is  there  clear,  that  some  of  understanding  do 
foil  for  a  judgment  to  others  ;  that  such  who  will  stumble, 
whose  prejudice  at  the  way  of  God  is  their  choice,  may 
thus  further  foil  and  be  broken.  3.  The  blessed  meaning 
and  intent  hereof  we  may  there  also  read  to  alarm  men  i» 


144  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

watchfulness,  that  such  who  stand  may  take  heed  lest  they 
fall ;  to  warrant  also  their  adventuring  on  the  grace  of 
God,  that  none  should  fear  to  come  in  after  such  eminent 
examples. 

14.  The  contingency  of  events.,  that  we  see  many  tilings 
in  such  a  casual  way  fall  out  in  the  world,  as  by  chance 
only ,  without  the  rational  conduct  of  providence  (which 
doth  infallibly  direct  things  to  a  certain  end)  this  might  at 
the  first  look,  put  men  to  a  stand,  yea,  would  seem  to  give 
atheists  some  shadow  to  say,  Hoiv  cloth  God  see,  or  doth  the 
God  of  'Jacob  regard  ?  But  upon  a  more  serious  inquiry, 
setting  the  word  over  against  it,  O  what  a  sweet  exercise 
should  it  be  to  consider,  1.  That  though  the  providence 
of  God,  in  things  here  beneath,  moveth  suitably  to  the  na- 
ture of  inferior  causes,  whether  necessary,  free,  or  con- 
tingent, not  violencing  them,  or  otherwise  making  use  of 
them  but  according  to  their  nature,  so  that  though  the 
event  be  necessary  and  infallible,  with  a  respect  to  the 
first  cause,  the  determined  counsel  of  God,  it  is  neverthe- 
less contingent  in  respect  of  its  nearest  cause  ;  yet,  this  also, 
on  the  other  hand  is  clear,  how  these  smallest  and  most  cas- 
ual motions  do  certainly  fall  under  that  comprehensive 
reach  of  providence,  that  even  a  sparrow  falleth  not  to  the 
ground  by  guess  ;  Rebecca  Cometh  not  with  her  pitcher  to 
the  well,  nor  Ruth  to  glean  in  Boaz^s  field  at  an  adven- 
ture ;  but  in  these  the  providence  of  God  must  reach  its 
end,  and  cannot  miscarry.  2.  That  thoss  things  which 
to  us  would  seem  most  casual,  we  oft  see  in  their  ten- 
dency and  product  have  been  intended  by  the  Lord,  as  a 
special  means  for  the  promoting  of  his  glory  /wherein 
such  a  wonderful  meeting  and  uniting  of  things,  in  them- 
selves most  remote, 'for  that  end,  may  be  truly  discerned, 
that  if  prejudice  do  not  shut  men's  eyes,  they  must  con- 
fess, this  can  be  no  blind  chance  but  some  high  counsel  9 
and  conduct  of  the  same.  What  would  look  more  con- 
tingent, than  that  Ahasucrus  was  indisposed  to  sleep,  and 
could  have  no  rest  in  the  night  ?  Or  that  a  reflection  of  the 
sun  upon  the  waters,  should  make  them  appear  as  blood 
to  the  children  of  Moab  ?  But  we  see  what  great  things 
the  Lord  is  thus  bringing  about.  3.  Is  it  not  oft  manifest 
how  not  the  smallest  casualty,  or  circumstance,  provi- 
dence doth  pass  without  some  improvement  thereof  ?  yea, 
that  it  guideth  the  stroke  of  a  man's  sword  in  the  battle, 
and  directeth  the  bullet  to  its  appointed  mark,  and  doth 
evidently  check  the  stars,  and  control  that  fatal  necessity, 
which  we  are  ready  to  fear  may  or  will  follow  their  aspect, 
snd  doth  even  determine  those  which  in  themselves  are 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  145 

mtfst  free  and  absolute,  the  heart  and  will  of  man  !  Must 
hot  the  crowing  of  the  cock,  and  the  soldier's  dividing  of 
Christ's  garments  fall  out  for  an  accomplishment  of  the 
scripture  ?  And  though  it  was  at  a  venture,  that  that  man 
drew  the  bow,  which  sent  Ahab  to  his  grave,  yet  it  was  no 
chance  did  direct  the  arrow  between  the  very  joints  of  his 
armour.  4.  Amidst  the  various  emergents  and  hazards 
of  men's  life,  may  not  experience  tell,  that  surely  things 
contingent  are  not  abandoned  to  fortune,  but  there  is  a 
Providence,  which  doth  number  our  hairs,  and  without 
which  they  cannot  fall  to  the  ground!  O  how  astonishing 
may  it  be,  to  think  how  surprizing  hazards  have  been 
oft  obviated  !  By  what  unexpected  means  men  have 
been  delivered  from  violent  assaults  !  how  help  unlooked 
for  hath  even  come  in  at  an  extremity,  yea,  while  their 
foot  was  slipping  even  betwixt  their  failing,  and  fall,  they 
have  been  surprised  with  some  remarkable  cast  of  mercy. 
5.  Is  it  not  easy  to  discern,  how  many  accidents  which 
seem  most  casual,  yet  by  no  human  prudence  or  industry 
can  be  prevented,  but  are  observably  brought  about  and 
guided  to  fulfil  the  threatenings  of  the  word  on  ungodly 
men  !  How  was  Siscra  led  by  other  places,  into  the  house 
of  J  pel !  How  should  Hainan's  suit  for  Mordeeai'sdetlh, 
fall  in  with  that  very  morning,  when  the  king's  thoughts 
were  favourable  to  him!  for  it  might  seem,  had  Hainan 
been  one  day  sooner,  he  would  have  got  his  will. 

This  is  a  grave  and  serious  subject,  and  hi  such  a  day 
should  be  much  studied,  when  so  many  are  ready  to  quarrel 
at  the  way  of  the  Lord,  and  out  of  every  thing  suck  poison, 
when  prejudices  are  now  so  universally  abounding  against 
the  truth  :  that  we  may  see  what  a  witness  there  is,  even 
in  the  most  dark  and  astonishing  steps  of  providence,  to 
the  truth  and faithfulness  of  God  ;  yea,  how  great  a  con- 
firmation we  may  thence  have  of  cur  faith,  in  such  shak- 
ing times,  whilst  we  see  how  these  are  special  grounds 
against  atheism,  and  a  most  convincing  refutation  of  the 
same,  which  are  so  much  made  use  of  to  strengthen  men 
in  that  way.  I  know  the  holy  sovereignty  of  God  should 
teach  us  to  adore  and  keep  silence,  when  we  cannot  fathom 
the  depths  of  providence  ;  and  on  tins  great  satisfying 
truth  we  should  stay,  and  fix  ourselves,  when  things  seem 
strange  to  us,  He  is  the  Lord,  and  with  him.  there  is  no  un- 
righteousness. It  is  sure,  the  condition  of  the  damnet|  in 
hell  takes  not  off  that  obligation  to  declare  ins  faithfulness, 
and  adore  his  unspotted  justice  :  but  O  they  it  would  cease 
to  be  hell,  if  such  a  blessed  frame  could  have  a  being  there. 

T 


146  The  Fiilfitting  of  the  Scripture. 

However,  it  is  a  necessary  and  concerning  duty,  when  a 
matter  seems  too  hard  for  us  to  understand,  to  inquire  in 
the  sanctuary  ;  there  is  a  warrantable  search  after  the 
works  of  God  that  we  may  know  them.  Now  besides 
those  instances  which  have-  been  already  mentioned,  I 
would  yet  further  touch  some  few  steps  of  the  providence 
of  God,  with  a  special  respect  to  this  present  time,  which 
may  seem  very  strange,  and  be  amazing  ;  but  when  brought 
to  that  test  of  divine  truth,  will  be  found  a  most  satisfying 
confirmation  thereof. 

1.  It  may  seem  strange,  to  see  the  church  of  Christ  this 
day  so  unher  sally  brought  low ,  and  in  a  suffering  condi- 
tion >  whilst  the  whole  earth  besides  is  at  such  rest  and  quiet : 
that  if  we  now  look  any  where  abroad,  affliction  and  con- 
tempt from  men  is  seen  in  a  very  great  measure,  to  attend 
the  profession  of  godliness,  but  more  especially  the  power 
thereof;  yea,  that  almost  in  every  place  the  church  would 
seem  to  be  upon  a  decay  and  a  declining,  rather  than  in  an 
advance.  I  confess,  this  may  cause  great  thoughts  of 
heart,  when  we  consider  that  inestimable  value,  he  whose 
the  church  is  hath  put  thereon  ;  what  glorious  things  are 
spoken  of  her  in  the  word,  especially  with  a  respect  to  the 
latter  days  ;  and  we  have  judged  (I  humbly  think  with  a 
safe  warrant)  that  this  should  be  a  solemn  time  of  fulfilling 
those  promises,  which  yet  point  at  a  more  unher  sal  raising 
and  enlargement  of  the  church  of  Christ  ;  yea,  that  in  so 
great  a  measure  we  have  seen  some  begun  performance 
thereof,  and  therefore  should  conclude,  the  Lord's  work 
herein  cannot  halt,  until  it  be  at  the  full  height  and  at  the 
perfect  day.  Shall  I  bring  to  the  birth,  and  not  caus,e  to 
bring  forth  ?  saith  the  Lord.  Shall  I  cause  to  bring  forth, 
and  shut  the  womb  ?  saith  thy  God.  Isa.  lxvi.  9.  But  let 
us  go  into  the  scripture,  and  there  inquire  concerning  this, 
and  we  will  find,  1.  How  the  church  and  the  world,  in 
that  interest  of  their  joy  and  grief,  as  well  as  other  interests, 
are  stated  in  a  most  direct  opposition.  Job.  xvi.  20.  Ver- 
ily, saith  Christ,  ye  shall  lament  and  weep,  but  the  world 
shall  rejoice.  It  should  not  be  expected,  those  can  be  at 
rest  together ;  since  the  trouble  and  suffering  of  the  church, 
it  is  a  part  of  the  world's  case  and  quiet.  What  a  solemn 
jubilee  does  that  cause  to  her  adversaries,  when  they  see 
before  them  die  dead  bodies  of  the  witnesses  of  Christ  ! 
RirOj  xi.  10.  No  sight  more  rejoicing  to  such,  because 
these  are  they  who  torment  them  who  dwell  in  the  earth. 
But  when  once  the  truth  casts  oft  her  sackcloth,  and  the 
witnesses  recover  their  feet ;  O  what  a  terror  doth  this 
cause  !  They  are  pained,  yea,  their  eyes  ready  to  consume 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  147 

in  their  eye  holes  with  bitterness  and  anguish,  that  they 
have  been  at  so  sore  work,  and  done  so  much  against  the 
church,  and  yet  cannot  undo  her.     2.  Should  this  be  more 
strange  now,  than  at  that  time  when  die  city  ofShusan  and 
whole  seed  of  the  Jews  were  in  perplexity,  whilst  the  lung 
and  Ham an  sat  down  to  feast,  and  rejoice  owr  such  a 
threatened  ruin  ;  for  this  seemed  to  strike  at  the  root  of 
the  church  universal !  And  was  not  that  a  broad  and  dark 
cloud,  when  this  was  writ  in  the  lamentation  of  the  church, 
Zion  is  a  wilderness,  and  Jerusalem  a  desolation ;  yea, 
could  find  no  rest,  no  comforter  any  where!  Lam.  i.   16, 
17.     But  if  such   a  providence    seem    strange,  that    the 
church  now  at  this  day  should  be  with  so  violent  and  uni- 
versal a  storm  run  down,  when  so  great  things  are  promised, 
let  us  consider  his  way,  who  by  the  greatest  downcasting 
and  straits  useth  to  bring  about  the  most  remarkable  mer- 
cies ;  and  do  we  not  know  the  devil  appears  with  greatest 
ivrath,  andraiseth  the  sorest  storms,  when  he  knows  that 
his  time  is  short.    3.  If  we  consult  the  scripture,  we  shall 
find,  the  adversaries  of  the  church  have  an  hour  w7hich  is 
their  hour,  and  the  power  of  darkness  ;  for  their  sunshine 
is  indeed  a  black  and  dark  time  ;  and  then  is  there  a  strange 
astonishing  concurrence  of  outward  advantages  on  their 
side  ;  for  they  are  thus  established  for  judgment,  and  the 
wind  must  serve,   and  the   tide  make,  until    that  work 
m  their  hand  be  fulfilled.    They  could  never  have  been 
such  a  rod  on  the  church,  if  they  were  not  appointed  of  the 
Lord  for  the  same.     Yea,  is  jt  not  observable,  whilst  this 
their  hour  continues,  there  is  then  a  power  of  darkness  ; 
such  a  time,  when  that  hath  an  unusual  force,  and  would 
seem  to  carry  all  before  it,  hath  then  a  marvellous  quick 
dispatch  in  its  spreading  from  one  place  to  another,  to 
make  a  dark  night,  where  the  gospel  sometimes  hath  had 
a  bright  day  !  Yet  we  see  how  such  a  strange  darkness 
hath  but  its  hour,  as  to  the  prevalence  thereof,  even  a  set 
time  for  the  church's  trial  ;  and  it  is  such  an  eclipse,  were 
it  never  so  universal,  that  must  go  over  at  its  appointed  pe- 
riod, and  give  place  to  light,  before  which  the  darkness  can 
no  longer  stand ;  and  then  it  shall  be  said  to  her,  who  had 
almost  abandoned  herself  to  sorrow,  Arise,  and  shine,  for 
thy    light   is  come,    and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen. 
4.  Why  should  we  be  amazed  at  this  where  we  may  read 
so  clearly  something  of  the  Lord's  design,  even  by  so  sore 
and  universal  a  stroke  to  appear  in  his  glory.  Psa.  cii.  16. 
and  thus  raise  his  church  with  an  unspeakable  advantage 
by  such  a  supposed  ruin  !  The  scripture  is  in  this  verj 
manifest,  that  when  the  Lord  is  about  some  great  building, 


143  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

and  hath  some  excellent  piece  of  work  to  raise  up,  a  great 
deal  of  rubbish  and  breaking  down  useth  to  go  before. 
Is  it  not  thus  also  he  makes  the  suffering  graces  of  his 
Spirit  in  his  people  shine  forth  ;  that  here  the  faith  and  pa- 
tience of  the  saints  vn&y  be  witnessed  !  yea,  should  we  not 
know  there  is  in  every  age  a  filling  up  of  the  sufferings  of 
Christ  in  his  people,  and  a  testimony  thus  required  to  his 
truth,  which  the  great  witness  himself  did  once  seal  and 
confirm  with  his  blood,  even  he  who  before  Pontius  Pilate 
gave  a  good  confession,  and  through  all  ages  even  to  the 
close  of  time,  there  must  not  want  some  witnesses  to  the 
same!  It  is  known,   how   some  times  of  the  church  are 
beyond  others  made  remarkable  for  suffering  ;  but  it  is  no 
less  clear,  that  in  these  times  also  the   truth  hath  had  the 
greatest  victory,  and  herein  a  most  special  clearing  up  of 
some  truths,  which  the.  world  hath  most  studied  to  darken. 
Thus  we  see  some  ages  of  the  church  may  have  a  larger 
part  cf  this  testimony  assigned.     Yea,  this  remark  may  not 
only  be  of  some  different  lot  and  service  assigned  to  particu- 
lar ages:  but  to  particular  churches  also.     5.  If  we  inquire 
about  this  at  the  scripture,  we  shall  find  also  some  remark- 
able proportion,  that  the  turning  again  of  the  church's  cap- 
tivity hath  to  her  former  bondage.     Read  Isa.  xlix.  19,  20. 
and  Iv.  13.  Jer.  xxxi.  59.     And  you  may  see  w7 hat  an 
ample  restoration  is  there,  which  as  with  a  measuring  line 
is  made  to  answer  in  breadth  and  length  to  her  former  ca- 
lamity.    We  find  ZiorCs  rejoicing,  when  her  time  of  re% 
freshment  comes  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  must  reach 
all  her  mourners,  and  be  as  universal  as  once  the  cause  of 
lamentation  was.     Isa.  lxvi.  10.     Is  it  not  such  an  hour 
sometime  with  the  church,  that  a  refreshing  report  is  no 
Where  to  be  heard,  but  the  tidings  of  the  next  day  add 
more  grief  to  the  former  day's  sorrow  ?  Yet  hath  pot  such 
a  time  quickly  followed,  wherein  the  church  might  say, 
The  Lord  hath  increased  her  greatness,  and  comforted  her 
on  ever;;  side  !  And  hath  had  a  spring  and  reviving  upon 
the  re  turn  of  the  sun,  as  universal,  as  her  decay  and  with- 
ering once  was  through  the  dead  winter.     Isa.  li.  3.     And 
truly,  whilst  we  consider  the  time  in  which  we  are  now 
fallen  church  cf  Christ  is  every  where  low,  and  in 

a  most  languishing  condition,  Antichristiankm  now  upon 
a  formidable  growth,  as  if  there  were  an  universal  conspir- 
acy to  return  again  to  Babylon,  and  if  we  will  inquire 
Jiereabout  at  the  scripture,  as  we  see  this  sad  decay,  we  may 
thence  conclude  a  certain  delivery  :  Yea,  that  even  by  a 
dry  of  vengeance  the  Lord  can  bring  about  the  year  of  his 
redeemed.    I  humoly  think,  we  may  with  a  safe  scripture 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  149 

warrant  judge,  that  so  universal  a  decay,  such  a  great  over- 
spreading of  darkness  over  the  reformed  churches  through 
the  whole  world,  may  give  us  ground  to  believe  such  a 
breaking  out  also  of  the  gospel,  and  otthe  knowledge  of  the 
Lord,  that  shall  be  of  as  large  extent,  even  to  the  filling  of 
the  earth  therewith,  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea.  It  will 
not  be  a  particular  shower  and  sunshine  of  refreshing  influ- 
ences on  some  church*  It  will  not  be  the  reviving  of  the 
work  ofGrd'm  the  nations,  I  must  think,  will  answer  so 
broad  a  cloud,  and  so  universal  a  vastation  and  lamenta- 
tion through  the  whole  churches  of  Christ.  But  we  may 
according  to  the  scripture  look  on  this  as  a  part  of  the  last 
and  most  remarkable  assault,  that  the  church  universal 
shall  have  from  antichrist,  before  that  full  stroke  on  the 
seat  of  the  beast  ;  yea,  that  this  is  a  very  promising  fore- 
runner thereof.  For  when  this  party  seems  now  to  get  up, 
and  begins  to  move  war,  we  have  sure  ground  to  believe 
his  further  falling  thereby,  and  that  every  new  assault 
which  that  grand  adversary  makes  upon  the  church  ;  shall 
so  far  put  forward  her  interest,  and  hasten  his  own  ruin. 
Blessed  are  they  who  are  helped  in  this  dark  hour  to  watch 
and  wait  until  the  vision  breakout,  for  it  will  assuredly 
speak  in  the  appointed  time. 

2.  These  short  breathings  of  the  church,  now  under  the 
New  Testament,  may  seem  also  strange,  that  we  see  her 
sunshine  so  quickly  darkened  with  clouds,  and  followed 
with  showers  ;  that  any  lucid  interval  she  enjoys,  wants 
not  long  a  new  storm.  We  see  this  very  clear,  what  hath 
been  the  usual  lot  of  the  church  universal  through  all  the 
times  of  tjie  gospel,  how  sore  tossed  and  overclouded,  her 
rest  of  short  continuance  :  and  as  to  particular  churches, 
is  it  not  a  small  period  of  time,  which  usethto  be  betwixt 
one  assault  and  another  ?  So  that  they  draw  but  a  little 
their  breath  for  some  new  trial.  I  confess  this  would  be 
puzzling,  if  such  a  piece  of  divine  providence  we  should 
essay  to  unriddle  without  the  scripture  ;  but  we  have  the 
word  near  us,  where  we  may  see  the  fate  and  condition  of 
the  church  under  the  gospel,  the  most  remarkable  steps  in 
her  way,  those  sharp  assaults  and  short  breathings  she  was 
to  expect,  most  clearly  foretold  and  held  forth  ;  yea  by  con- 
sulting this  blessed  record,  we  will  find  these  :  1.  That  a 
more  continued 'and  fixed  rest,  than  that  which  may  be 
seen  hitherto  in  the  church's  condition,  could  not  well  be 
reconciled  with  the  scripture.  There  was  indeed  a  great 
breathing,  a  most  remarkable  cessation  under  Constantine* s 
reign,  after  a  storm  of  some  ages  continuance  ;  but  O  how 
short!  And  it  is  said,  Rev.  viii.  1,  There  was  silence  in 


150  The  Fu  I  jilting  of  the  Scripture* 

be  riven  for  half  an  hour.  I  would  here  offer  some  remarks 
about  the  way  of  the  Lord  in  this.  (1.)  That  the  cross  and 
much  affliction,  we  find,  have  a  more  peculiar  respect  to 
the  dispensation  of  the  gospel,  than  the  times  of  the  law  : 
and  this  is  specially  suited  thereto,  To  go  through  many 
tribulations.  It  is  very  consentaneous  to  a  greater  manifes- 
tation of  grace  under  the  New  Testament,  that  greater  and 
more  frequent  trials  for  its  exercise  should  also  be  let  forth. 
(2.)  We  find,  such  sore  and  usual  assaults  are  not  only 
suited  to  the  most^  excellent  condition  of  the  church  in  re- 
gard of  spiritual  privileges,  but  do  often  befal  the  most  ex- 
cellent ol  the  saints.  Read  Hcb.  xi.  32.  (3.)  This  re- 
mark useth  not  to  fail,  how  every  particular  church,  besides 
these  ordinary  changes  and  tossings  in  her  lot,  hath  also 
some  more  solemn  remarkable  trials  and  some  great  as- 
sault beyond  others,  and  accordingly  hath  some  more  sin- 
gular breathings  and  sun  blinks  suited  thereto.  (4.)  We 
cannot  find  any  such  calm  and  breathing,  which  hath  not 
bQcn  very  short,  if  we  turn  back  and  trace  the  history  of  the 
church  informer  times,  but  the  clouds  have  returned  quick- 
ly after  the  rain  ;  yea,  we  may  observe  how  the  most  ex- 
cellent princes  and  magistrates,  under  whom  the  church 
hath  had  some  sweet  repose,  have  been  oft  in  a  very  short 
time  taken  away,  and  have  but  lived  a  few  years.  2.  If 
we  wonder  at  such  a  piece  of  the  Lord's  way,  why  his 
church  is  thus  tossed,  doth  not  the  scripture  shew  what 
need  she  hath  to  be  emptied from  vessel  to  vessel;  along 
calm  being  no  less  her  hazard,  than  a  sharp  storm  ;  and 
more  cause  oft  to  watch  over  her  outward  rest,  than  weep 
over  her  trouble  and  tossings.  Oh  how  oft  hath  the 
church  lost  more  by  a  few  years  peace,  than  a  long  contin- 
ued war  !  yea,  the  necessity  of  a  sharp  winter,  for  her  re- 
covery, hath  been  so  discernible  ere  it  came,  that  if  it  were 
not  for  the  downbearing  of  truth,  and  shaking  of  the  faith 
of  the  saints,  the  continuance  thereof  might  be  almost 
wished  as  her  advantage,  at  least  is  to  be  quietly  submitted 
unto.  3.  Doth  not  the  scripture  also  witness  that  contin- 
ued lasting  quarrel,  which  is  betwixt  the  world  and  the 
c lurch,  and  is  perpetuated  from  generation  to  generation, 
that  time  cannot  wear  it  out ;  so  that  if  she  had  not  so  great 
a  party  for  her,  and  an  immediate  support  from  heaven,  we 
might  find  more  cause  to  wonder  she  yet  breathes,  than  to 
ask  why  her  breathings  are  so  short,  when  there  is  so  great 
a  power  against  her  ?  O  if  the  church  had  not  this  to  an- 
swer all  the  messengers  of  the  nations,  about  her  security, 
That  the  Lord  hath  founded  Zion,  sure  that  longbreathing 
design  for  so  many  ages  should  at  last  have  taken  place, 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  151 

even  to  the  razing  of  her  foundation.  4.  It  is  clear  the 
most  singular  fellowship,  and  free  access  thereinto,  with 
Jesus  Christ  on  the  earth,  is  by  the  cross,  and  in  that  way- 
witnessed  ;  that  it  must  be  said,  if  such  afflicting  times  did 
not  oft  return  upon  his  people,  there  would  be  a  shut  door 
betwixt  the  church  and  a  large  part  of  the  bible,  both  as  to 
its  meaning,  and  as  to  its  full  breasts  of  consolation.  Are 
there  not  inCst  sweet  refreshing  truths  there,  which  the 
godly  cannot  reach  so  near  and  feeling  a  converse  with,  in 
amoutward  calm,  as  under  some  sharpest  wrestlings  !  O 
wrhat  an  excellent  commentary  hath  a  suffering  time  given 
upon  these,  beyond  all  that  ever  was  written,  on  such  a 
truth  of  the  scripture,  Persecuted,  but  not  forsaken,  cast 
down,  but  not  destroyed,  as  sorrowful,  yet  always  rejoicing. 
And  thus,  we  see  how  in  our  stumbling  at  such  a  provi- 
dence, we  err  not  knowing  the  scriptures,  and  mistake  our 
own  mercies.  5.  Whilst  we  see  those  short  intervals 
which  have  so  usually  been  under  the  New  Testament,  be- 
twixt one  trial  of  the  church  and  another,  and  the  cause 
thereof  so  clear  from  the  word  ;  let  us  also  consider  what 
warrant  there  is  yet  to  expect,  before  the  end  a  more  solemn 
and  remarkable  time  of  the  churclfs  enlargement ;  that  not 
only  shall  be  very  universal  in  its  extent,  but  a  more  lasting 
and  continued  rest  from  the  violence  of  the  world,  than 
hath  formerly  been  :  winch  I  humbly  judge,  on  clear  scrip- 
ture grounds,  we  are  to  believe  upon  the  coming  of  that  full 
stroke  on  Babylon,  and  those  solemn  espousals  of  the  Jew- 
ish church  to  Christ,  which  seems  to  be  the  most  remark- 
able  period  of  that  time  appointed  for  the  church's  reign. 
And  though  this  will  not  want  some  sharp  trials,  and  a  mix- 
ture of  outward  trouble,  yet  we  find  no  ground  from  the 
scripture,  after  the  discussing  of  Antichrist  and  the  throw- 
ing down  of  the  Turkish  empire,  for  any  remarkable  inter- 
ruption and  overclouding,  or  that  the  church  shall  have  any 
great  assault  until  that  final  gathering  of  the  world  and  her 
forces  together,  to  the  last  battle  of  the  Lamb. 

3.  Is  not  this  a  strange  remark  likewise,  which  is  so 
usual  a  complaint  through  the  church,  that  with  a  greater  in- 
crease of  light  and  knowledge,  there  is  seen  a  visible  wear- 
ing out  of  life  and  power  ;  and  now  in  these  more  knowing 
times,  there  should  be  so  much  ground  to  say,  tenderness 
and  the  serious  exercise  of  godliness  is  more  worn  out,  and 
in  a  further  decay,  than  in  the  times  of  greater  ignorance  : 
let  us  but  look  through  the  reformed  churches  at  this  day, 
and  then  turn  home  to  ourselves,  and  we  shall  box]  this  re- 
mark too  sadly  verified ;  how  after  a  great  increase  of 
knowledge,  the  truths  of  God  in  such  a  measure  ckareel 


152  The  Fdlfdling  of  the  Scripture. 

beyond  former  ages,  it  may  be  said,  Oh  whither  is  the  life 
and  power  of  godliness  gone,  and  that  fervour  which  once' 
so  convincingly  appeared  in  following  the  Lord.  We 
know,  there  is  a  sweet  agreement  betwixt  the  christian's 
light  and  life,  which  have  a  mutual  subserviency  to  each 
other,  and  yet  to  see  so  sad  ajar  this  day,  and  so  little  pro-- 
portion  the  one  hath  to  the  other,  may  put  us  with  astonish- 
ment to  a  serious  inquiry  thereabout ;  but  the  scripture  is 
clear  and  makes  it  plain  if  we  will  consider,  1.  That  there 
is  a  time  of  a  people's  espousals  to  the  Lord,  and  then  the 
kindness  of  their  youth  and  a  remarkable  time  of  love  is  seen. 
for.  xxi.  2.  when  their  affection  will  be  aloft  after  him  ; 
yea,  such  a  solemn  period  of  the  church's  condition  may 
be  seen,  when  it  hath  not  reached  that  light  and  knowledge, 
as  after  :  but  do  we  not  also  find,  how  rare  it  is  for  a  peo- 
ple, to  hold  up  at  that  rate  and  measure  in  their  life  and 
love,  which  at  such  times  hath  appeared,  whatever  advance 
there  may  be  as  to  light :  thence  we  find  the  church's  hold- 
ing up  with  the  name  and  profession  of  godliness,  Rev.  iii. 
2.  when  very  sore  spent  in  her  life;  yea,  this  decay  oft  up- 
on such  an  insensible  growth,  that  it  will  be  hard  to  get 
such  convinced  thereof,  and  remember  whence  they  are 
fallen.  2.  If  we  will  ask  at  the  scripture,  it  will  also  shew 
that  judicial  tendency,  which  light  not  improved 'hath  to  a 
further  hardening  ;  how  under  the  gospel  men  may  be 
made  deaf  with  hearing.  For  judgment  am  I  come  into  the 
world,  saith  Christ,  J  oh.  ix.  39,  which  hath  that  effect, 
that  those  who  see  should  be  made  blind.  Light  is  surely 
ope  of  the  greatest  talents  of  the  church,  and  brings  with  it 
either  a  remarkable  gain,  or  loss  ;  nothing  so^  dreadful  as 
this,  when  it  is  abused.  O  at  what  a  rate  doth  it  run  down 
and  stupify  the  conscience  !  that  thus  men  are  not  only 
more  deadened,  but  become  the  more  dead  and  blind  that 
they  were  once  enlightened.  3.  May  we  not  thence  know 
how  this  is  one  of  the  devils  greatest  engines  he  makes  use 
of,  tottirn  men's  light  against  their  life  and  tenderness,  ev- 
en to  incite  them,  from  that  excellent  discovery  of  the 
grace  of  God,  unto  wantonness.  Jude  4.  and  thus  essay  an 
agreement  betwixt  light  and  darkness.  _  O  what  a  dreadful 
poison  must  that  be,  which  can  imbitter  so  excellent  a 
stream,  and  turn  so  choice  and  quickening  a  mean  of  our 
spiritual  life,  to  be  destructive  thereto  !  that  we  see  knowl- 
edge, whose  true  and  native  tendency  is  to  humble  and 
abase,  being  thus  impoisoned  does  work  the  contrary  ef- 
fect, even  to  swell  men  and  puff  them  up  ;  to  oppose  those 
gifts  against  the  church,  which  are  given  of  the  Lord  for  its 
edification,  and  for  defence  of  the  gospel !  Thus  we  find  it 


the  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  153 

•Jear,  when  light  hath  made  a  further  advance  in  the 
church,  the  devil  is  there  at  vvurk  to  destroy  love,  by  many 
bitter,  contentious  debates,  where  the  interest  may  be  oft 
seen  more  personal,  to  wit,  men's  repute  and  credit,  than 
the  interest  of  God  and  his  truth.  I  am  far  from  any  in- 
tended reflection  on  that  grave  and  necessary  duty  of  ap- 
pearing in  defence  of  the  truth,  and  men's  stating  them- 
selves in  opposition  to  those  who  are  its  adversaries ;  a 
quarrel,  wherein  they  should  know  neither  friend  nor 
brother  :  for  this  is  to  stand  in  the  breach,  when  it  is  as- 
saulted, to  contend  for  the  faith.  O  blessed  contention, 
where  such  with  that  excellent  man  Melanchton  can  say, 
Non  quozro  gloriam  propriam,  sed  veritatem.  Though 
this  is  a  very  sad  and  threatening  symptom  that  night  is 
coming  on  a  church  where  the  light  shines,  but  the  heat 
and  warming  influence  thereof  is  gone  ;  yet  here  is  a  riddle, 
we  find  the  scripture  does  wonderfully  unfold,  how  the 
Lord  makes  things  bring  forth  contrary  effects,  and  causes 
a  remarkable  consumption,  that  seems  to  reach  the  church 
in  her  inward  and  vital  parts,  resolve  in  an  overflowing  with 
righteousness,  Is.  x.  22,  yea,  thus  lets  us  see  a  people  so 
far  spent  in  life  and  spirituality,  that  the  things  which  re- 
main are  ready  to  die,  whilst  even  there,  the  Lord  is 
pursuing  their  recovery.  It  is  herein  he  makes  his  grace 
marvellous,  to  order  his  people's  raising  to  be  from  so  low 
a  step  of  their  condition,  and  cause  his  church  when 
brought  to  a  small  remnant  to  take  root  downward,  and 
bring  forth  fruit  upward,  Is.  xxxvii.  31.  It  would  seem 
a  strange  connection,  but  not  strange  to  the  grace  of  God, 
Ps.  cii.  that  the  time  of  his  favouring  Zion,  even  that  set 
time,  should  find  her  in  a  heap  of  stones  and  rubbish  ;  yea, 
that  a  reviving  and  the  breaking  out  of  her  day  begins  there 
with  the  weeping  of  her  friends  over  her  ruins.  I  shall  fur- 
ther add,  with  respect  to  the  present  time,  we  may  believe 
on  very  sure  grounds,  that  godliness  and  the  power  thereof 
will  yet  break  out  in  the  world,  though  it  were  at  the  low- 
est ebb,  yea,  as  at  its  last  breathing  ;  that  little  spark  now 
under  ashes  must  assuredly  revive  and  blow  up  to  a  flame ; 
yea,  send  forth  its  heat  to  warm  the  nations  ;  for  on  solid 
grounds  we  may  thus  reason,  if  such  a  deathlike  decay  had 
a  respect  only  to  some  particular  church,  and  if  this  with- 
ering, abatement  and  languishing  of  the  exercise  of  grace, 
were  confined  but  to  a  corner,  it  might  be  a  sad  presage, 
that  their  sun,  when  so  far  declined  and  gone  down,  were 
near  to  the  setting  :  but  since  this  seems  to  be  a  consump- 
tion over  the  whole  earth,  a  matter  of  lamentation  and  a 
spreading  complaint,  through  the  whole  reformed  church, 
u 


154  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

we  may  look  on  it  as  a  very  promising  ground  of  confidence 
and  hope  of  a  recovery,  for  if  that  be  sure,  the  church  uni- 
versal cannot  die  under  such  a  disease,  it  is  also  sure,  this 
sickness  is  not  unto  death  ;  yea,  so  remarkable  an  opposition 
to  the  power  of  godliness  as  is  this  day  through  the  world, 
we  may  judge  a  very  refreshing  presage  of  some,  more  uni- 
versal out  breaking  of  the  same,  wherein  God  will  be  seen 
by  some  blessed  surprisal  in  a  very  immediate  way  :  for 
there  is  hope  of  this  tree,  which  in  a  special  way  he  had 
himself  planted,  that  it  shall  grow,  though  now  cut  down, 
by  the  scent  of  waters,  even  by  the  river,  the  streams  where- 
of make  glad  the  city  of  God  ;  which  can  in  old  age  cause 
her  to  bring  forth  fruit.  O  wnat  life  is  there  in  the  church 
of  Christ,  when  it  seems  to  be  buried  !■  for  she  is  in  the 
root,  that  cannot  dry  up  ;  and  herein  must  his  promise  and 
his  people's  praise  meet,  that  her  dry  bones  shall  flourish 
as  a  green  herb,  there  can  be  now  no  less  appearance  of 
this,  than  at  that  time  when  the  Lord  turned  again  the  cap- 
tivity of  his  people,  which  was  so  little  expected,  A. 
exxvi.  that  they  knew  not  whether  it  was  a  dream,  or  real* 
It  may  indeed  be  a  very  humbling  discovery,  that  we 
must  say,  our  ruin  is  of  ourselves  ;  yet  must  it  not  ruin  our 
hope,  since  in  these  great  things  which  the  Lord  hath 
done  for  the  church,  the  greatness  of  his  power  hath 
not  been  more  clearly  witnessed,  than  the  freedom  and 
sovereignty  of  his  grace,  that  men  may  see,  this  is  the 
Lord's  doing,  and  should  be  marvellous  in  their  eyes. 

4.  May  it  not  seem  strange,  and  be  matter  of  astonish- 
ment, that  the  great  men  of  the  earth,  and  such  who  sit  in 
the  place  of  judgment,  are  usually  found  to  be  greatest  ad- 
versaries to  the  church ;  j-ea,  it  is  too  well  known,  that 
magistracy  (so  excellent  an  ordinance  of  God)  hath  been 
so  far  perverted,  that  even  under  the  christian  magistrate 
the  church  of  Christ  hath  suffered  more  since  first  breaking 
out,  than  from  any  other  quarter,  this  indeed  may  seem 
marvellous  ;  I  do  not  deny,  there  have  been  great  men  in 
the  world,  who  have  no  less  outshined  others  in  fervour 
and  zeal  for  truth,  than  in  their  place  and  quality.  But 
oh  we  may  say,  an  age  brings  forth  few  such  ;  and  that 
which  Sahian  says  of  his  time,  hath  been  a  true  remark 
in  most  ages  of  the  world,  and  too  frequently  seen,  that  the 
contempt  upon  religion  by  those  who  were  in  greatest 
power  had  this  effect,  Ut  mali  cogantur  esse,  ne  viles  habe- 
antur.  I  confess  this  may  cause  wonder,  (if  we  consider 
for  what  end  the  great  lawgiver  hath  designed  that  ordi- 
nance) how  men  should  so  far  counteract  his  interest,  from 
whom  they  derive  their  power,  and  for  being  subservient 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  155 

thereto  have  received  it :  sure  the  doctrine  of  the  church  of 
Christ  can  give  no  ground  of  quarrel,  and  it  is  strange  these 
should  expect  from  others  homage  and  subjection,  who  turn 
the  seat  of  judgment  to  be  a  grievous  yoke,  and  deny  their 
subjection  so  avowedly  to  the  great  judge.  O  how  sad  is  it, 
that  none  are  oft  such  a  terror  to  the  godly,  such  a  support 
to  evildoers,  as  magistrates,  and  the  great  men  of  the  world 
so  usually  found  to  be  the  greatest  examples  of  wicked- 
ness !  This  should  indeed  be  matter  of  lamentation,  yea, 
that  those  are  oft  times  advanced,  who  have  nothing  to 
commend  them,  but  some  advance  beyond  others  in  a 
higher  measure  of  impiety.  But  we  must  go  to  the  scrip- 
ture, and  there  inquire  which  will  shew,  (1.)  That  it  is  not 
strange,  though  iniquity  have  a  throne,  under  whose 
shadow  mischief  may  not  only  shelter,  but  come  that 
length  to  be  framed  into  a  law.  Psal.  xciv.  20.  yea,  it 
must  not  be  strange,  that  the  adversaries  of  the  truth  be 
among  the  chief  of  thetime  ;  which  complaint  we  find, 
Lam.  i.  5.  The  world  is  not  yet  cured  of  that  madness, 
of  which  the  prophet  speaks  with  amazement,  Psal.  ii.  1. 
iv hy  the  kings  and  rulers  of  the  earth  should  attempt  a  vain 
thing,  to  ruin  the  church,  and  make  his  decree  void,  who 
by  his  word  created  the  world.  We  may  see,  it  is  not  of 
late  the  servants  of  Christ  have  been  convened  before  ru- 
lers in  defence  of  the  truth,  and  have  suffered  by  the  law, 
where  the  crime  was,  their  adherence  to  the  express  com- 
mand of  the  great  lawgiver.  Luke  xxi.  12.  It  is  also  clear, 
the  kings  of  the  earth  for  many  ages  have,  amidst  all  their 
private  differences,  with  one  consent  agreed  to  make  war 
with  the  lamb,  and  give  their  strength  for  upholding  anti- 
chtist  ;  yet  is  this  nothing  else,  but  what  the  scripture 
hath  foretold.  Rev.  xvii.  It  was  written  of  an  excellent 
man  in  the  days  ofPhocas,  that  after  some  humble  expos- 
tulating with  the  Lord,  why  he  set  up  so  vile  a  wretch  in 
the  highest  place  of  power,  that  he  had  this  return,  quia  non 
invent  pejorem.  •  Herein  is  the  way  of  the  Lord  unspotted, 
how  sad  soever  it  be  in  itself,  that  those  who  should  exe- 
cute judgment  for  the  oppressed,  are  in  his  holy  displeasure 
made  the  executioners  of  his  judgments  on  men,  and  shew 
themselves  the  greatest  oppressors.  (2.)  If  this  be  strange 
to  us,  do  not  the  scriptures  prevent  our  stumbling,  by  a  most 
sweet  and  choice  antidote,  that  when  we  see  the  oppression 
of  the  poor,  and  such  a  wrathful  aspect  rulers  usually  have 
on  the  church  of  God,  we  should  not  marvel,  or  be  much 
moved  thereat,  even  when  we  see  those  whom  death  hath 
plucked  away,  and  with  shame  rolled  in  the  grave,  still  re- 
turn with  the  same  resemblance  iu  their  successors,  and 


156  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

piety  in  all  ages  run  down  by  power.  For  it  is  written^ 
that  he  who  is  higher  than  the  highest  doth  regard  the  same. 
EccL  v.  8.  O  how  far  are  they  below  God,  yea,  infinitely 
below  him,  who  are  highest  among  men  !  hath  not  their  vi- 
olence and  oppression  of  the  church  him  for  a  witness, 
whom  they  must  also  have  for  a  judge?  And  the  further 
they  seem  raised  above  human  reach,  they  lie  more  near 
to  some  immediate  stroke  of  a  divine  hand ;  that  when 
there  is  no  reprover  on  earth,  none  there  to  give  their 
cruelty  against  the  church  a  check,  he  sits  in  heaven ,  who 
laughs  them  to  scorn  ;  which  they  shall  find  to  be  sad  earn- 
est, when  he  speaks  to  them  in  his  wrath,  and  vexes  them 
in  his  sore  displeasure.  (3.)  Does  not  the  scripture  witness 
the  Lord's  blessed  design  in  this,  to  make  his  church 
thrive  another  way,  when  she  is  destitute  of  the  help  and 
countenance  of  civil  authority,  and  thus  lead  her  in  to  him, 
who  hath  the  key  of  David,  that  opens  and  none  can  shut, 
unto  him  who  is  sl  known  refuge  for  the  oppressed?  It  is 
here  he  declares  himself  to  be  God,  and  the  greatness  of  his 
power  who  can  keep  her  alive,  and  preserve  his  interest  in 
a  destroying  flame,  and  under  a  cruel  oppressing  magis- 
trate ;  yea,  thus  cause  her  to  flourish  in  his  days,  and  have 
peace  in  his  reign,  even  under  the  grievous  reign  of  her 
adversaries.  Do  we  not  likewise  find  (Neh.  ix.  36.)  the 
church's  distress  there  and  oppression  from  her  rulers, 
jnakes  them  resolve  in  a  more  near  tie  and  conjunction 
with  God  ?  which  is  seen  in  the.  last  verse,  And  because  of 
this  we  make  a  sure  covenant,  &c.  O  blessed  violence  and 
oppression,  that  lands  here,  where  the  storm  drives  to  such 
an  anchor,  as  a  further  cleaving  to  the  Lord,  and  surrender 
of  themselves  to  him !  (4.)  As  the  scripture  prevents 
men's  stumbling  at  this  ordinary  suffering  of  the  church 
under  magistracy,  it  does  also  witness  the  Lord's  contend* 
ing  very  remarkably  against  these  on  such  an  account ; 
and  clearly  sheweth,  that  no  human  greatness  can  secure 
from  him,  who  cuts  off  the  spirit  of  princes,  and  is  terrible 
to  the  kings  of  the  earth  ;  consider  Psal.  ii.  9.  and  xciii.  4. 
It  is  here  we  may  read  the  cause  of  the  changes  of  kingdoms 
and  states,  that  are  so  frequent  in  the  world.  Whatever 
influence  personal  interests  seem  to  have,  there  is  a  holy 
revenging  God,  and  his  arm  made  bare  therein  upon  the 
quarrel  of  his  church,  that  he  may  recompense  tribulation  to 
those  who  have  troubled  her.  None  needs  wonder,  that 
flourishing  states  are  broken  in  such  a  quarrel ;  to  see  the 
supreme  head  of  the  church  (that  in  all  things  he  may  have 
the  preeminence)  wound  the  head  over  many  countries,  and 
rule  the  nations  with  an  iron  rod,  yea,  turn  great  men  out  of 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  157 

their  grandeur  and  authority,  and  throw  them  down  :  for 
the  cause  is  obvious,  they  keep  no  bounds  and  marches, 
with  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ,  but  will  be  over  him  and 
invade  his  interest,  until  he  who  must  reign,  and  have  all 
dominion  and  power  subjected  to  him,  carry  that  war  back 
upon  themselves,  and  stand  up  against  such  evil  neigh- 
bours, for  his  own  right ;  for  which  he  will  strike  through 
kings  in  the  day  of  his  wrath,  yea,  pursue  the  race  and 
seed  of  such  oppressors,  the  father  and  the  children,  as  a 
standing  quarrel  from  generation  to  generation.  5.  It  is 
sure,  corrupt  magistracy  is  one  of  the  great  plagues  of 
God  on  the  world  ;  wherein  his  unspotted  righteousness, 
and  the  provoking  cause  from  men,  may  be  seen  in  the 
scripture  ;  that  when  such  will  throw  off  his  yoke,  and 
quarrel  with  his  authority,  in  subjection  to  which  their  lib- 
erty lies,  they  should  have  one  more  grievous,  and  unsuf- 
ferable,  wreathed  on  them,  and  be  delivered  up  to  thfc 
hands  of  such  cruel  exactors.  I  must  here  say,  the  Lord 
does  visibly  contend,  by  such  a  stroke,  with  that  exces- 
sive flattery  and  respect  the  nations  gives  their  rulers,  that 
blind  obedience  they  give,  contrary  to  the  express  will  of 
the  Lawgiver,  by  a  willing  following  of  the  commandment ; 
and  thus  writes  that  sin  on  their  judgment,  that  the  hand 
of  men  should  be  heavy  and  sore  on  their  own  interests, 
who  can  so  easily  comply  with  their  oppression  of  the 
church  and  invading  the  interests  of  God.  But  here  is  no 
intended  reflection  on  that  divine  ordinance  of  magistracy, 
whereon  his  image  is  so  visibly  impressed  ;  though  in  all 
ages  there  hath  been  sad  cause  to  bewail  the  abuse  of  so 
great  a  trust  and  power,  and  to  see  it  so  destructive  to  the 
end  for  which  it  is  designed. 

5.  This  also  seems  strange  and  is  a  very  shaking  thing, 
to  see  some  of  greatest  repute  and  eminency  in  the  church, 
who  have  been  singularly  useful  to  engage  others  in  the 
way  of  the  Lord,  change  their  principles  with  the  time,  and 
turn  at  last  in  opposition  thereto  ;  yea,  make  it  their  worlc 
to  cast  down  what  once  with  great  zeal  they  seemed  to 
build  ;  I  confess,  this  may  give  sad  ground  of  stumbling, 
and  nothing  atheism  takes  more  advantage  of,  to  question 
the  truth  of  all  religion,  whether  there  be  any  thing  further 
than  a  human  interest  in  it,  when  men's  light  in  the  mat- 
ters of  Go  d  and  the  doctrine  of  ministers  are  found  so 
cross  to  themselves  with  the  changes  of  the  time,  blessed 
are  they  who  are  not  offended  at  Christ  because  of  this  ; 
but  let  us  consult  the  scripture,  and  then  instead  of  being 
shaken  or  confounded  we  shall  find  this  such  a  special 
confirmation  of  the  truth,  that  if  it  were  not  thus,  men  might 


158  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

rather  question  the  same.    For,  (1.)  Such  a  shaking  trial, 
is  clearly  j  ore  told,  from  cross tides  of  doctrine,  that  should 
be  within  the  church,  Eph.  iv.  14.  yea,  a  warning  given 
of  those  who  handle  the  word  deceitfully ,  %-Cor.  iv.  2.  by 
accommodating  it  to  their  private  interest  and  design,  and 
a  corrupt  application  thereof :  for  when  men  do  once  es- 
tablish the  conclusion  before  the  premises,  for  compliance 
with  a  sinful  course,  they^  are  then  at  work  to  wrest  the 
scripture  by  misapplying  it,  2  Pet.  iii.  which  is  indeed  to 
oppose  the  truth  against  itself,  and  suit  it  to  their  bias, 
that  they  may  salve  such  a  visible  opposition  betwixt  them 
and  themselves  in  their  way  and  practice.    And  thus  what- 
evcrfair  sbetii  they  make  in  /he  flesh,  they  expose  the 
Word,  and  their  parts  and  abilities  in  handling  of  it,  to  sale, 
(O  an  accursed  sale  and  merchandize  !)  Now  if  this  seem 
strange  and  be  stumbling,  that  amongst  the  dispensers  of 
the  mysteries  of  God,  and  of  greatest  repute  in  the  church, 
such  should  be  found,  read  2  Cor,  ii.   17.  and  you  will 
there  see  the  cause  why  many  corrupt  the  wordy  because 
they  are  not  in  sincerity  and  as  in  the  sight  of  God  therein, 
which  is  absolutely  required  to  qualify  a  faithful  minister  of 
Christ.     Oh!  the  want  of  that  candour  and  uprightness  of 
heart  is  a  worm,  which  lies  hid  at  the  root  of  all  their  other 
parts,  and  as  a  dead  corrupting  fly  in  so  excellent  a  box  of 
ointment.     Thus  we  may  see,  this  is  so  far  from  being  a 
cause  of  stumbling  at  the  truth,  that  it  does  most  con- 
vincingly fulfil   and    verify  the  same.     (2.)    When  we 
have  so  sad  a  discovery  in  the  church,  have  we  not  this  an- 
tidote likewise  from  the  scripture,  not  to  be  shaken  or  mov- 
ed thereat,  Heb.  xiii.  9.  But  that  we  study  to  know  and  be 
persuaded  of  the  truth,  that  they  q-iiet  and  support  the 
soul,  though  we  should  be  left  alone  in  following  duty.  The 
testimony  of  God  is  sure,  and  immoveable  ;  and  he  is  truey 
though  all  men  should  be  liars.    We  must  have  the  persons 
of  none  in  admiration  which  hath  so  usual  a  tendency  to 
bribe  the  judgment,  and  betray  the  truth  :  but  though  an 
apostle  or  an  an  gel  from  he  ay  en  should  come  to  oppose  the 
scripture  of  God,  we  ought  in  so  far  to  let  him  be  accursed. 
(3.)  Here  also  is  the  holy  counsel  and  design  of  the  Lord 
made  known,  that  those  who  are  approved  may  be  made 
manifest ;  and  such  have  an  opportunity  to  discover  them- 
selves, who  turn  aside  to  crooked  paths,  and  tread  in  the 
dark  to  the  prejudice  of  the  truth.  Ps.   exxv.  5.     They 
may  dig  very  deep  to  hide  their  opposition  to  God,  not  on- 
ly from  others,  but  even  from  themselves  :  but  providenae 
herein  hath  a  deeper  reach,  and  ensnares  them  in  the  work 
of  their  own  hands  ;  yea,  doth  thus  bring  them  forth  with 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  159 

the  workers  of  iniquity ,  and  as  his  greatest  adversaries,  who 
wound  and  betray  his  interest  under  that  mask,  and  dis- 
guise of  a  friend,  this  is  indeed  a  preventing  mercy  to  the 
church,  whose  hurt  and  hazard  hath  been  more  from  those 
who  walk  under  a  cover  than  any  other  party  ;  and  here  is 
the  counsel  of  the  Lord  shewed,  that  when  a  piercing  trial 
comes,  which  will  go  through  the  soul  like  a  sword,  the 
thoughts  of  many  hearts  may  be  then  discovered  There 
is  a  falling  in  of  many  with  the  church  under  a  calm,  who 
must  fall  off  with  a  storm,  it  is  strange,  to  think  how 
small  the  first  entry  of  a  further  declining  will  be,  when 
once  there  is  a  tendency  and  bias  that  way,  how  hard  ^  is  it 
to  join  in  a  familiar  correspondence  with  the  adversaries  of 
the  truth  without  joining  in  some  measure  with  their  way  ; 
yea,  it  is  seen,  these  usually  are  more  ensnared,  than  the 
adverse  party  by  any  such  tampering  are  bettered.  It  is  a 
sad  truth,  which  is  said  of  Ephraim,  strangers  devoured 
his  strength,  yet  he  knew  it  not.  Hos.  vii.  8.  It  is  no  won- 
der when  men  come  the  length  of  detaining  the  truth  in 
unrighteousness,  and  withstand  the  giving  of  a  testimony 
thereto  when  called,  that  the  next  step  be,  some  appearance 
against  it..  (4.)  Is  it  not  clear  from  the  scripture,  that  the 
righteous  God,  doth  thus  rain  snares  on  men  ?  yea,  this  is 
one  of  the  woes  the  world  is  under  because  of  offences  ;  for 
the  fall  and  turning  aside  of  such  is  a  sad  stroke  on  others, 
whilst  they  used  not  to  fall  alone  when  those  become  a 
stumbling  block  whose  lips  should  preserve  knowledge,  whom 
the  people  are  to  consult  concerning  the  law,  and  thus  be 
the  greatest  cause  of  offence  themselves,  whose  work  is  to 
strengthen  and  confirm  others.  O  what  a  sore  plague  is 
this  on  a  poor  church,  when  it  is  low,  to  break  her  further, 
and  make  her  distemper  grow.  We  may  truly  say,  it  is 
more  threatening  than  sword,  famine  or  pestilence,  against 
a  nation.  It  is  a  strange  ground,  which  is  given  of  the  de- 
parture ofthose/rom  the  faith,  who  were  once  in  repute 
of  the  church,  yea,  of  the  breaking  out  of  antichrist  in  the 
world,  2  Thes.  ii.  12.  that  it  was  to  punish  them  who  believ- 
ed not  the  truth,  and  would  not  embrace  the  same  ;  O  it  is 
a  sad  and  dreadful  time  to  live  in.  where  such  offences 
abound  !  for  it  clearly  shews  a  judicially  plaguing  time  up- 
on the  church,  and  some  great  abuse  of  the  gospel  which 
hath  gone  before.  (5.)  When  this  seems  strange  to  us, 
should  we  not  learn  to  adore  and  justify  him,  who  thus 
stains  the  pride  of  all  flesh  and  will  silence  the  confidence  or 
boasting  of  instruments,  that  the  church  may  know  where 
her  strength  lies,  this  is  a  remark,  though  sad,  which  seldom 
fails,  that  the  greatest  endowments  and  gifts,  where  men 


160  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

are  swelled  and  lifted  up  therewith,  have  a  more  easy  and 
native  bias  against  the  truth,  than  for  it,  and  threatens  the 
church's  hazard,  more  than  any  advantage  the  exercise  of 
these  gifts  can  promise  ;  and  the  greater  repute  men  walk 
under,  where  humility  keeps  not  low,  lays  them  the  more 
near  some  humbling  stroke,  to  bring  them  low,  ere  they  go 
off  the  stage,  that  no  flesh  may  glory  in  his  presence,  1  Cor. 
i.  26.  We  must  say,  the  greatest  heroes  in  the  church  of 
Christ,  who  have  shined,  even  to  their  setting,  most  bright- 
ly, have  been  also  the  most  humble.  (6.)  As  it  is  clear, 
there  is  no  jar  betwixt  the  scripture  and  this,  but  it  is  so  great 
a  confirmation  thereof,  that  it  should  further  strengthen  and 
establish  us  in  the  way  of  the  Lord  (for  the  falling  off  of 
such  from  the  truth  is  a  trial  most  expressly  foretold,  and  a 
convincing  witness  to  the  truth  of  the  scripture)  so  this  also 
must  be  granted,  that  there  are  ministers  and  watchmen  in 
the  church  of  Christ,  in  all  ages,  found  faithful  to  their 
master's  interest,  who  have  been  not  only  helped  to  confess 
the  truth,  and  deliver  the  counsel  of  God  to  the  world,  but 
to  witness  their  adherence  to  and  persuasion  of  it  by  suffer- 
ing.  O  can  the  world  debate  this,  that  such  in  the  worst 
of  times  are  found  to  drive  a  treaty  of  reconciliation  betwixt 
Christ  and  sinners,  who  are  in  earnest,  and  have  a  weight 
of  that  work  on  them,  without  respect  to  outward  encour- 
agement ?  O  happy  servants  of  so  great  a  master  who  con- 
sider that  they  shine  with  borrowed  light,  and  derive  all 
from  him,  whether  as  to  grace  or  gifts,  that  therein  they 
may  return  to  him  again,  by  a  faithful  improvement  of  their 
talent ;  who  reckon  they  cannot  be  low,  where  he  is  exal- 
ted ;  they  cannot  lose  where  the  gainis  his  ;  but  in  this 
doth  rejoice,  to  see  him  increase,  and  his  kingdom  on  an  ad- 
vance, though  they  decrease >  and  be  darkened  with  the 
brightness  of  his  rising  ! 

6.  I  know  this  is  an  astonishing  thing,  which  many  pre- 
tend a  cause  for  stumbling,  to  see  how  some  have  walked, 
and  at  what  a  rate,  under  a  profession  of  godliness,  and  for 
so  long  a  time  have  had  the  appearance  of  being  serious  and 
tender,  yea,  have  t;hus  personated  the  walk  of  a  christian, 
whom  an  after  discovery  hath  proved,  not^  in  some  partic- 
ular only,  but  in  the  main  interest  of  religion,  to  be  with- 
out reality  and  truth.  This  may  indeed  seem  strange,  and 
be  cause  of  wonder,  that  men  having  the  use  of  reason 
should  be  at  so  sore  a  toil,  to  hold  up  a  form  of  godliness, 
and  the  external  exercise  of  christian  dities,  only  for  a 
form,  who  might  with  another  kind  of  facility  and  unspeak- 
able pleasure  have  reached  both  the  shadow  and  the  sub- 
stance, by  being  truly  serious :  and  it  is  sure,  if  such  get 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  161 

hot  the  impression  of  a  Deity  raised  out  of  the  soul 
(which  is  impossible)  there  must  be  sometimes  terror  in 
their  approach  to  God  ;  though  not  in  any  secret  retire- 
ments, (for  this  should  be  a  piece  of  their  torment,  to  come 
so  near  their  conscience,  and  be  alone  with  it,  lest  it  flee  in 
their  face)  yet  with  others,  when  such  a  witness  they  have 
within,  that  it  is  their  deliberate  work,  to  deceive  at  once, 
the  great  God,  their  generation,  and  their  own  soul  !  But 
oh  this  is  not  more  strange,  than  true  ;  yea,  many  such 
pretenders  are,  and  will  be,  within  the  pale  of  the  visible 
church.  And  is  there  not  a  divine  hand  marvellously  oft 
seen  in  rending  that  vail,  and  bringing  those  forth  to  the 
light,  in  such  a  way  as  may  witness  that  this  is  from  the 
Lord  !  Now  there  is  no  ground  of  challenge  or .  reflection 
here,  on  his  holy  and  unspotted  way,  or  the  reality  of  god- 
liness, if  we  will  but  seriously  inquire  at  the  scripture  ; 
where  we  have  this  (1.)  expressly  fore told,  that  men  should 
have  a  form  of  godliness,  and  deny  the  power  thereof,  1  Ti?n. 
iii.  5.  profess  to  know  God,  being  abominable,  disobedient^ 
and  unto  every  good  work  reprobate.  Tit.  i.  16.  Yea, 
will  come  in  sheep'' s  clothing,  yet  be  ravenous  wolves  !  Have 
not  some  of  the  church's  sharpest  trials  been  in  such  a  way 
ushered  in,  even  under  a  false  shew  ?  and  have  not  the 
most  cruel  persecutors  entered  the  stage  as  friends  :  you 
know  how  the  man  of  sin  did  first  step  in  ;  was  he  not  thus 
masked  ?  and  is  not  the  scripture  clear  j  that  to  seek  a 
church  free  of  such  a  mixture  out  of  heaven,  is  to  seek  that 
which  we  will  never  find,  for  it  is  there  only  no  unclean 
thing  can  enter.  (2.)  Does  not  this  blessed  record  of  the 
scripture  shew,  with  what  singular  art  and  advantage  such 
may  act  that  part,  and  with  Jehu  inquire,  if  the  man's  heart 
be  right,  whilst  his  own  is  most  false  ;  what  a  strange  con- 
fidence will  these  have,  who  glory  in  appearance,  and  not  in 
heart?  Will  they  not  cry  unto  God,  and  make  mention  of 
him,  but  not  in  truth.  Isa.  xlviii.  Yea,  should  we  wonder, 
though  such  be  found,  who  can  mask  their  private  inter- 
est with  such  an  appearance,  even  whilst  they  seek  a  rule 
for  their  religion  out  of  Machiavel,  but  not  out  of  the 
bible  !  (3.)  If  the  length  that  ^  these  may  come,  seem 
strange,  will  you  consult  the  scripture,  which  goes  as  great 
a  length  in  its  discovery,  and  you  will  know  how  deep  it 
works,  sometimes  not  at  an  ordinary  rate,  but  they  will  in- 
vite the  world  to  see  their  zeal  for  God,  who  dare  not  en^ 
dure  the  view  of  their  own  conscience.  Therein  you  may 
find  an  apostle,  and  one  of  the  twelve,  and  yet  a  devd.  To 
witness  this,  should  be  no  reflection  on  the  church  of 
Christ,  though  an  eminent  minister  thereof  be  found  rotten 
w 


162  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

and  unsound,  who  hath  made  a  great  sheiv  in  the  flesh. 
(4.)  Does  the  scripture  allow  or  flatter  any  in  such  a  way  ? 
You  cannot  there  have  one  line  for  its  encouragement :  but 
whilst  human  law  does  not  reach  this,  divine  law  most  se- 
verely threatens,  Job  viii.  13.  &c.  Matth.  vii.  15.  &c. 
And  there  you  may  see  it  in  its  own  colour,  how  horrid  a 
thing  it  is,  which  the  more  near  it  does  approach  religion 
(that  is  so  excellent  and  lovely  in  itself)  this  false  shew 
thereof  is  the  more  hateful  and  loathsome.  Yea,  even  those 
who  comply  with  it  in  themselves,  are  made  to  loathe  it  in 
others,  which  is  in  the  highest  measure  a  falsehood  and 
lie,  because  a  lying  to  the  God  of  truth.  (5.)  You  cannot 
challenge  the  church  and  followers  of  Jesus  Christ,  that  by 
them  any  such  thing  is  owned  or  justified :  but  it  may  be 
seen,  what  an  offence  md  wound  such  a  discovery  will 
prove,  to  these.  It  is  indeed  a  cause  of  grief,  but  no  cause 
of  reflection  on  the  truth  of  God  :  for  in  so  far  this  is  veri- 
fied, they  went  out  from  us,  because  they  were  not  of  us,  I 
Job.  ri.  29.  (6.)  Is  not  that  horrid  and  black  roll  mention- 
ed  by  the  apostle,  1  Tim,  ii.  3.  clasped  as  it  were  betwixt 
these  two,  a  form  of  godliness,  but  denying  the  power 
thereof?  It  is  not  strange,  when  religion  is  attended  with 
much  power  in  a  place,  that  hypocrisy  is  found  there  also  : 
but  it  is  clear,  what  remarkable  discoveries  have  been  made 
thereof,  that  seldom  such  who  have  most  industriously 
studied  that  accursed  art,  have  gone  to  the  grave  under  this 
cover  ;  though  I  deny  not  but  some  may.  I  must  further 
add,  that  some  special  incitement  and  concurrence  of  the 
devil  is  here  oft  very  manifest  and  his  power  as  remarkably 
put  forth,  as  in  any  lust  of  the  flesh,  to  put  some  forward 
on  such  a  design  ;  yea,  even  may  be  subservient  to  them 
in  the  exercise  of  common  gifts,  that  may  deceive  for 
the  time  very  discerning  christians.  I  cannot  question 
the  truth  of  this,  having  ground  to  instance  such, 
who  have  been  in  an  express  covenant  with  Satan,  and 
have  after  acknowledged  his  help  and  assistance,  for 
thiir  dexterous  managing  so  dreadful  a  design  :  if  you 
think  this  strange,  yen  may  consider,  that  the  devil 
himself  is  transformed  to  an  angel  of  light.  But  it  is 
well,  the  grossest  defilement  of  men  can  no  ways  stain  re- 
ligion, and  the  way  of  the  Lord,  which  is  pure  and  undefiled. 
7.  Those  sad  jars  and  divisions,  which  are  so  frequent 
in  the  church  of  Christ,  may  seem  very  strange,  and  be  the 
cause  of  stumbling  and  offence  to  many  ;  that  whilst  the 
world  is  at  such  an  agreement,  and  of  one  mind  to  oppose 
the  truth,  those  are  oftibund  at  war,  most  bitterly  contend- 
ing amongst  themselves,  even  those  who  should  stand  in 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  163 

the  breach,  for  the  truth  and  in  defence  of  the  gospel, 
the  fellow  servants  at  strife  and  smiting  one  another,  when 
they  should  be  striving  together  about  their  Master's  work. 
I  confess,  this  is  sad,  and  is  a  rock  whereon  many  have 
split ;  of  which  they  have  made  that  use  to  a  further  height- 
ening of  their  prejudice  against  the  truth  :  yea,  it  is  strange 
that  this  destroying  plague  doth  so  observably  attend  any 
peace  or  calm,  that  the  church  hath  in  her  outward  con- 
dition. But  there  is  no  cause  for  such  stumbling  ;  if  we 
will  allow  it  some  serious  thoughts,  it  may  rather  help  to 
fix  and  establish  us  in  the  way  of  the  Lord,  and  instead  of 
being  a  poison,  may  be  an  effectual  antidote  against  the 
same,  I  mean  the  atheism  of  the  time,  which  pretends  so 
great  an  advantage  from  this.  For  the  scripture  is  clear, 
1.  Though  it  is  a  sore  stroke  on  the  church,  and  the  most 
sad  departure  of  God  from  a  people,  which  we  have  upon  di- 
vine record,  we  find  usually  attends  them  in  such  a  torn  and 
divided  case  ;  yea,  though  in  ail  the  records  of  after  times, 
this  may  be  traced  in  the  breaking  out  of  a  judgment,  as  a 
very  immediate  forerunner  thereof ;  yet,  have  we  no  war- 
rant  to  expect  the  church  militant  shall  be  in  that  condition 
in  which  there  shall  be  no  such  discord  and  breach.  No, 
that  is  heaven,  and  it  is  there  only  that  perfect  peace  and 
concord  will  be  found ;  read,  1  Cor.  i.  10.  Rom.  xv.  5. 
And  what  an  early  trial  was  this  to  the  church,  which  did 
occasion  that  graveand  solemn  meeting  of  the  apostles  and 
elders  (Acts  xv.)  to  let  us  see  how  the  Lord  can  serve  him- 
self of  the  greatest  evil  for  the  advantage  of  his  truth. 
(2.)  There  is  no  cause  of  challenge  here  or  reflecting  on  the 
truth,  whatever  be  on  those  who  profess  it,  since  the  scrip- 
ture shews  that  we  know  but  in  part,  and  prophesy  in  part, 
and  such  a  prevailing  mixture  of  corruption,  that  some  will 
preach  Christ  out  of  strife  and  contention,  not  sincerely.  PhiL 
i.  15.  Yea,  whilst  there  are  such  different  sizes  amongst  the 
saints,  that  those  who  ct  not,  are  ready  to  judge  them  who 
eat,  and  those  who  eat,  are  ready  to  despise  him  who  eatcth 
not.  (3.)  If  we  consult  the  scripture,  we  shall  find  that 
peace  and  concord  ivithin  the  church,  which  is  so  excdlen* 
in  itself  and  desirable,  must  be  severely  qualified  with  a 
respect  to  holiness.  Heb.  xii.  14.  For  else  such  an  agree- 
ment would  not  be  the  true  peace  of  the  church,  but  her 
plague.  And  is  not  that  wisdom,  which  is  from  above, 
first  pure,  and  then  peaceable  ?  It  is  sure,  they  are  its  best 
friends,  who  have  least  latitude  to  take  or  give  in  the  in- 
terest v&iruth  ;  but  it  is  oft  found,  how  such  indirect  tam- 
perings  for  peace,  have  in  the  judgment  of  the  Lord  caused 
a  further  breach.    There  is  no  true  jar  betwixt  the  zeal 


164  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

of  God,  and  an  ardent  desire  and  endeavour  for  peace,  but 
what  our  corruption  causeth.  O  this  is  a  blessed  peace 
maker,  who  can  go  the  furthest  length  to  yield  in  his  own 
things,  whether  credit  or  private  interest,  yea,  overlook 
the  most  sharp  personal  reflections,  to  promote  that  excels 
lent  design  ;  but  hath  nothing  to  yield  or  quit  upon  his 
masters  interest,  and  can  resist,  whosoever  they  be  that 
would  prejudice  this,  even  to  their  face  /  have  we  not  that 
heroic  practice  of  the  apostle  fGal.  ii.  5.)  upon  divine  rec- 
ord to  this  day  ?  to  whom  we  gave  place  no  not  for  an  hour, 
that  the  truth  of  the  gospel  might  continue  with  you.  Is 
not  that  also  a  special  remark,  that  those  who  cause  division 
in  the^  church,  and  were  therefore  to  be  noted  fRom.  xvi. 
17.). it  was  those  voho  did  oppose  the  doctrine  of  the  church  ? 
For  it  is  men's  falling  off  from  the  truth,  which  is  indeed 
the  cause  of  a  schism  and  rent ;  but  not  their  adherence  to 
it,  though  for  this  they  should  be  men  of  contention  and 
looked  on  as  signs  and  wonders  in  the  time.  (4.)  What- 
ever advantage  some  may  take  to  challenge  the  way  of  the 
Lord,  from  these  breaches,  I  am  sure,  they  cannot  deny, 
there  is  a  fellowship  and  concord  in  the  church  of  Christ 
beyond  any  in  the  world.  There  is  a  communion  of  the 
saints,  even  here,  with  one  heart  and  mind  ;  yea,  in  such 
a  measure  as  may  shew  the  world  this  is  a  bond  that  ex- 
ceeds the  most  near  and  strait  ties  of  natural  relations. 
JEph.  iv.  3.  16.  and  truly  every  jar  and  difference  amongst 
the  followers  of  Christ,  make  not  a  breach. 

8.  I  know,  that  this  will  seem  strange  and  astonishing  in 
the  way  of  the  Lord,  that  when  the  church  from  her  ad- 
versaries without  is  oppressed  and  brought  low,  his  hand 
in  a  very  immediate  way  also  is  so  heavy,  yea,  seems  more 
sore  upon  his  people,  than  the  hand  of  men ;  and  does 
even  by  some  sad  strokes  in  their  private  interests,  and 
upon  their  persons,  appear  more  remarkably  against  them, 
than  against  any  others.  This  may  occasion  great  thoughts 
of  heart,  when  we  consider  that  tenderness  which  the  Lord 
doth  witness  towards  his  people,  that  he  stirs  not  up  all  his 
ivrath,  nor  will  lay  upon  them  above  that  they  can  bear,  but 
stays  his  rough  wind  in  the  day  of  the  cast  wind,  and  hath 
promised  to  be  a  sanctuary,  and  hiding  place,  when  they 
are  scattered  by  men.  Ezek.  xi.  16.  And  with  another 
party  the  church  might  debate,  yea,  hold  her  own  with  her 
greatest  adversaries  :  But  oh  !  it  is  time  to  flee,  and  there 
can  be  no  standing,  where  the  Almighty  pursues.  There 
is  then  true  cause  of  fear  and  terror,  when  he  becomes  his . 
people's  party !  Yet  let  us  consult  the  scripture,  that  great 
interpreter  of  providence,  and  of  every  step  of  the  way  and 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  165 

f>rocedure  of  the  Lord  with  his  church  ;  and  it  will  let  us 
see,  CI.)  That  it  is  no  strange  case,  or  untrodden  path, 
but  we  may  find  the  prophet,  Jer.  xvii.  17.  at  such  a 
grievous  cry,  Be  7iot  a  terror  to  me,  thou  art  my  hope  in 
the  evil  day.  And  had  not  the  church  the  same  cause  of 
complaint,  jfer.  xxx.  14,  16.  that  the  Lord  seemed  to 
wound  her,  with  the  wound  of  an  enemy,  and  the  stroke  of 
a  cruel  one.  It  was  the  appearance  of  this,  that  was  a  very 
sad  a:  .'  on  to  her  trial  beyond  any  other  thing,  Is.  lxiii. 
10.  thai  '  found  the  Lord  turned  to  be  their  enemy,  and 
in  an  i  i  way  seem  to  fight  against  them.  (2. )  Does 

not  the  tune  shew  that  the  rod  may  have  a  dread- 

ful eppe-       >ce,  and  the  way  of  the  Lord  by  some  strange 
and  sing        circumstances  in  dealing  with  his  people  may 
be  mat"'      a  amazement,  when  yet  he  designs  a  further  in- 
crease oi   their  grace;  yea,  their  trial,  more  than  their 
punish  in  nt  ?  This  is  indeed  one  of  the  deeps  of  provi- 
dence, which  we  have  discovered  in  Job  i.  and  ii.  how  by 
a  divine  permission  Satan  may  very  effectually  concur  in 
a  stroke  on  the  church,  or  some  particular  christian,  and 
thus  cause  strange  concurrence  of  bitter  things,  that  in 
such  a  case  the  hand  of  the  Lord  would  seem  very  terribh\ 
whilst  he  only  minds  his  people's  trial :  and  it  is  clear,  that 
the  fiery  trial,   mentioned  by  the  apostle,    1  Pet.  iv.  12. 
may  have  such  strange  and  singular  circumstances,  that  the 
godly  will  be  at  a  question,  if  such  did  ever  befal  others, 
and  yet  you  see  it  there  held  forth  more  as  a  ground  of 
joy,  than  of  fear.     O  how  deep,  in  afflicting  times  of  the 
trch,  may  the  plot  and  contrivance  of  the  devil  be ! 
which  yet  in  the  holy  counsel  of  the  Lord  is  oft  forced  to 
run  against  its  own  bias,  and  to  bring  forth  the  very  con- 
trary effect  !  C3.)  If  we  understand  the  scripture,  we  may 
there  know,  how  the  trial  of  the  church  hath  its  appointed 
bounds,  and  measure  ;  yea,  by  some  remarkable  steps  will 
grow  that  length,  and  have  such  an  advance,  until  it  sur- 
round them  on  all  hands,  Lam.  ii.  22.    Thou  hast  called 
my  terrors  round  about,  as  in  a  solemn  day  :  Yet,  when  it 
is  so,  we  find  it  is  not  without  cause,  but  may  be  needful 
for  the  church  and  particular  christians,  to  be  in  heaviness 
through  manifold  temptations.  1  Pet.  i.  6.     And  truly  in 
such  an  unusual  coincidence  and  variety  of  straits,  the  ten- 
dency thereof  is  oft  seen  to  be  for  as  manifold  use  and  ad- 
vantage, as  the  many  afflicting  ingredients  in  that  trial 
have  been  remarkable.     C4.)  We  may  also  see  from  the 
scripture  what  an  usual  resemblance  there  is  betwixt  the 
public  lot  of  the  church  in  suffering  times,  and  the  private 
case  of  the  saints  :  how  under  some  sad  trial  and  departure 


165  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

of  the  Lord  from  his  people,  his  dispensations  are  many 
ways  corrective  and  judicial,  that  do  then  reach  them  in  all 
their  personal  interests  ;  there  is  a  backsliding  time,  and  a 
day  when  judgment  particularly  points  at  the  green  tree, 
which  useth  not  to  be  a  comforting  time,  that  then  Satan 
is  more  observably  let  loose,  to  afflict,  and  ft- w  will  miss 
some  touch  of  his  hand.  Read  Lam.  i.  2.  where  you  find 
the  sword  abroad  devouring,  a  time  of  public  judgment, 
and  then  it  was  at  home  also  as  death:  and  in  v.  16.  under 
such  sore  afflicting  strokes  there  is  one  further  held  forth, 
that  was  most  imbittering  of  all  to  the  godly  in  that  time, 
that  the  comforter  who  should  relieve  their  soul,  was  far  of. 
It  is  clear,  nothing  does  more  endear  a  mercy  and  make 
it  sweet,  than  the  Lord's  immediate  appearance  therein  : 
and  nothing  does  more  imbitter  the  rod,  which  put  David 
to  that  cry,  PsaL  xxxix.  Remove  that  stroke  from  me,  I 
am  consumed  by  the  blow  of  thine  hand.  (5.)  .Upon  a  se- 
rious inquiry  about  this  strange  thing,  may  we  not  under- 
stand the  meaning  thereof  by  the  scripture,  why  in  some 
trials  the  Lord  does  thus  shew  himself  his  people's  party, 
and  his  hand  more  heavy  on  them  than  on  others, ^that 
there  is  some  provoking  cause,  whereat  these  providences 
clearly  point  ?  When  the  godly  are  pursuing  their  ease  and 
satisfaction  under  the  rod,  more  than  to  answer  its  design  ; 
when  they  are  ready  to  take  mortification  and  a  humble 
stooping  under  trouble  for  a  couching  underneath  their  bur- 
den,  it  is  not  then  strange  though  that  sad  wo,  Amos  vi.  6. 
do  so  far  reach  them,  as  their  personal  ease  makes  them 
forget  the  affliction  of  Joseph.  For  thus  the  righteous 
God,  suits  their  stroke  to  the  sin  ;  and  keeps  such  a  pro- 
portion, that  a  light  burden  of  the  care  of  the  church  should 
make  their  care  otherwise  abound,  and  in  their  own  things 
press  them  with  much  trouble,  when  these  go  betwixt 
them  and  the  interest  of  Christ.  There  is  a  very  unseen 
cause  oft,  why  many  of  the  saints  may  be  sick  and  some 
fall  asleep.  Yea,  this  truth  must  be  likewise  verified, 
there  is  a  saving  of  things,  by  which  we  put  them  in  fur- 
ther hazard ;  and  a  securing  thereof,  by  a  surrender  to 
the  Lord.  An  immoderate  fear  of  a  stroke  from  men,  to 
the  prejudice  of  present  and  necessary  duty,  may  bring 
with  it  some  sad  immediate  strokes,  in  the  displeasure  of 
the  Lord,  from  his  hand  ;  yea,  that  he  should  thus  be- 
reave his  church  of  many  choicest  instruments  by  his  very 
immediate  hand,  to  make  it  appear,  the  anger  and  jealousy 
of  the  most  high  God  is  more  to  be  dreaded,  than  the 
wrath  and  violence  of  all  our  adversaries.  But  yet  in  the 
close  of  these  judgments,  even  when  a  church  may  seem 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  167 

quite  consumed,  and  her  strength  worn  out,  have  we  not 
there  some  ground  of  hope,  that  the  Lord  may  prevent  his 
people's  thoughts,  by  as  marvellous,  as  immediate  restor- 
ing providences  when  he  sees  their  power  is  gone,  and 
that  there  is  none  to  help  ?  yea,  is  it  not  easy  with  him,  and 
like  his  way,  to  return  and  restore  what  the  former  years 
have  taken  away,  by  the  locust,  and  caterpiller,  &.c.  which 
he  had  sent  amongst  them  ?  Joel  ii.  25. 

9.  There  is  a  step  of  the  holy  providence  of  God  and 
his  unspotted  judgment,  which  would  also  seem  strange  and 
amazing,  that  which  is  inflicted  upon  the  soul  mid  conscience 
by  an  immediate  stroke  of  judicial  induration,  and  is  very 
evident,  oh  how  undeniably  evident,  and  clear  at  this  day  ! 
that  men  under  great  light,  some  special  discoveries  of 
God,  after  known  convictions  and  wrestlings  of  con  science, 
yea,  after  solemn  engagements  and  their  declared  resolu- 
tion to  follow  the  Lord  in  his  way,  have  yet  come  such  a 
length  and  degree  in  a  deliberate  resisting  and  opposing 
themselves  to  him  and  his  truth,  without  the  least  appear- 
ance of  a  check  or  trouble  !  I  confess,  this  is  one  of  the 
marvellous  things  of  God,  and  a  very  visible  demonstra- 
tion of  his  being,  who  hath  such  a  dominion  over  the  soul, 
both  in  its  hardening  and  softening  :  but  no  cause  to  stum- 
ble hereat.  It  does  truly  call  us  to  fear,  and  is  a  stroke  that 
may  force  on  atheists  the  awful  conviction  of  a  deity  ;  or 
though  it  is  not  felt  by  those  who  are  under  the  same,  be- 
cause the  want  of  sense  and  feeling  is  a  part  of  that  disease, 
yet  all  who  look  on  (if  they  did  not  shut  their  own  eyes) 
may  learn  to  know  that  this  is  the  very  work  of  God,  and  a 
piece  of  his  judgment  which  he  makes  known  in  the  earth. 
But  let  us  ask  the  scripture,  and  we  shall  find,  instead  of 
any  ground  for  stumbling:,  what  a  special  confirmation  this 
should  be  of  the  truth  :  since  it  is  clear,  (1.)  How  in  this 
the  way  of  the  Lord  is  holy  and  righteous,  who  is  under  no 
debt,  no  obligation  to  the  sons  of  men,  Rom.  ix.  18.  but  is 
absolutely/;-^,  to  let  forth  grace  to,  or  withhold  it  from, 
whom  he  pleaseth.  His  blessed  will  being  the  alone  rule 
of  righteousness,  he  comprehends  the  reason  of  all  his 
counsels  and  judgments,  which  are  to  us  incomprehensi- 
ble :  yet  does  he  so  far  condescend,  to  let  men  see,  his 
unspotted  justice,  as  well  as  his  sovereignty,  in  this  shines 
forth,  that  they  who  are  unjust  by  a  deliberate  choice, 
should  be  unjust  still  by  a  further  arrest.  Rev.  xxii.  and 
those  who  will  ?wt  hearken  and  will  have  none  of  him9, 
should  be  delivered  up  to  the  lusts  of  their  own  heart.  Ps. 
Ixxxi.  11.  We  see  in  what  a  measure  Pharaoh  was  hard- 
ened of  the  Lord,,  which  was  a  plague  worse  than  the  oth- 


168  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

cr  ten  :  But  we  find,  Exod.  vi.  34.  that  Pharaoh  harden- 
ed his  own  heart ;  and  thus  was  a  stroke  suited  to  such  a 
resolute  resisting  of  light.     (2.)  Does  not  the  scripture 
shew  the  marvellous  conveyance  of  this  judgment,  Is.  vi. 
6.  how  this  sad  sentence  is  more  immediately  passed  on 
the  soul ;  yea,  by  those  most  singular  means,  the  word  and 
ordinances  for  enlivening,  is  it  executed  thereon ;  men 
preached  deaf  and    dead,  where    others    find  life  ;   this 
is  a  stroke,  that  does  not  draw  a  bar  betwixt  them  and 
external  fellowship  with  the  ordinances,  but  O  it  draws 
an  invisible  bar  betwixt  them  and  the  power  and  efficacy 
thereof.    It  is  a  judgment  that  walks  in  the  dark,  and  binds 
where  none  can  loose  ;  it  killeth  without  a  cry  ;  yea,  gives 
men  a  death  stroke  when  the  pain  of  that  wound  is  not 
felt.     (3.)  Do  you  not  see  how  this  strange  judgment  is  in 
as  great  a  height  and  measure  held  forth  by  the  scripture, 
as  you  see  it  in  any  example  before  your  eyes,  that  men  will 
be  mad  in  their  opposition  to  God,  even  when  he  is  most 
remarkably  opposing  them  ?  such  as  Ahaz  who  did  tres- 
pass the  more,  the  more  he  was  distressed,  2  Chron.  xxviii. 
22.    Yea,  such  who  with  these  men  of  Sodom  would 
grope  after  the  door,  and  persist  in  that  wickedness  when 
God  hath  immediately  smitten  them  with  blindness  for  the 
same.     O  what  may  be  the  next  stroke,   where  men  re- 
new their  assault  against  God,  after  he  hath  once  and  again 
smitten  them ;  who,  instead  of  repenting  under  his  sore 
plagues,  turn  enraged  to  blaspheme  him,  who  hath  power 
over  the  same  !  Is  not  that  a  strange  degree  of  judicial  in- 
duration, Acts  vii.  57.  that  when  they  saw  the  face  of  Ste- 
phen shine,  and  looked  steadfastly  thereon,  they  did  then 
run  with  fury  against  him  !  Yea,  it  may  be  seen  in  all  ages, 
that  such  a  length  this  judgment  will  come,  to  look  on  the 
most  convincing  extraordinary  judgments  of  God  on  othersi 
and  yet  not  be  moved  therewith  themselves  ;  that  when 
his  hand  is  lifted  up,  they  will  not  see  :  but  the  posterity 
take  up  the  same  quarrel,  and  pursue  it  wherein  they  have 
seen  their  fathers  fall,  under  the  stroke  of  an  avenging  God. 
(4.)  We  may  also  know  from  the  scripture,  how  deep  this 
judgment  may  draw  in  its  dreadful  effects :  what  a  judicial 
arrest  is  thus  served  on  men,  by  which  they  are  bound  over 
to  destruction,  and  their  hands  made  strong  on  them,  as 
that  they  can  neither  stir  nor  move,  but  as  malefactors  shut 
up  in  jail,  and  under  fetters  ;  which  is  not  more  evident 
before  the  execution,   than  this  arrest  on  their  soul  is  by 
obduration  before  some  further  stroke.     Thus  they  lie  near 
sudden  destruction,  and  a  blow  that  is  irrecoverable,  who 
have  hardened  themsekes  under  frequent  reproofs.    fProV* 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  169 

^xix.)  It  is  known,  what  Pharaoh? s  last  rebuke  was, 
after  he  had  rejected  many  ;  it  stands  upon  public  record 
to  after  ages. .  I  shall  add,  is  there  not  something  of  hell 
here,  and  of  those  everlasting  fetters,  in  some  measure 
made  visible  in  the  earth  ?  For  where  light  and  conviction 
do  resolve  into  rage  and  malice  against  the  truth,  nothing 
can  be  more  like  hell,  or  have  a  more  near  resemblance  to 
the  devil. 

10.  I  shall  add  one  instance  more,  which  may  seem  al- 
so strange,  and  a  marvellous  piece  of  the  providence  of 
God,  that  the  righteous  should  fall,  and  have  one  event 
with  the  wicked  in  a  time  of  judgment ;  whilst  we  see  some 
notorious  for  wickedness,  and  their  horrid  actings  in  oppo- 
sition to  the  church,  go  to  the  grave  in  peace,  as  to  any  re- 
markable stroke  from  the  Lord  upon  them.  I  know,  men 
are  ready  to  wonder  hereat ;  yea,  thence  an  atheist  will  infer, 
things  must  fall  out  at  an  adventure.  But  O  if  these 
would  bring  this  to  the  scripture,  and  set  it  in  the  light  of  the 
word  !  they  should  there  see  how  convincingly  it  is  veri- 
fied, and  that  there  is  nothing  here  which  does  not  clearly 
agree  with  that  blessed  record.  For  it  shews,  (1.)  That 
by  no  external  providences,  or  any  thing  dispensed  within 
time,  yea,  by  no  affliction  obvious  to  sense,  the  way  of  the 
Lord  and  his  respects  to  his  people  can  be  judged,  even 
amidst  the  great  ( variety  of  events,  which  here  fall  out : 
But  we  are  in  this  obliged  to  adore  God,  whose  judg- 
ments are  incomprehensible,  when  we  see  at  the  same 
time  a  just  man  perish  in  his  righteousness,  and  a  wicked 
man  prolong  his  life  in  wickedness.  Eccl.  vii.  25.  (2.)  The 
scripture  gives  us  this  return  also  about  such  a  provi- 
dence, why  the  sword  devours  both,  and  as  Saul  and  Jona- 
than fall  together,  that  there  the  Lord  does  in  a  special 
way  differ  betwixt  one  and  another.  Josiah  died  in 
peace,  as  was  promised,  2  Kings  xxii.  20.  yet  befell  upon 
the  high  places  of  the  field,  in  the  common  judgment  :  But 
he  was  then  taken  from  the  evil  to  come  ;  yea,  thus  was  de- 
livered, even  by  a  stroke  of  the  hot  displeasure  of  God,  on 
others.  It  is  not  strange,  that  some  may  be  hid  in  the 
grave  from  a  further  storm,  by  the  same  judgment  where- 
in the  Lord  is  pursuing  the  land,  in  which  they  have  their 
abode.  (3.)  It  is  clear  from  the  scripture,  how  small  an 
accession  to  a  sinful  course  may,  in  the  holy  displeasure  of 
God,  bring  some  of  his  people  under  the  same  stroke  with 
his  adversaries,  and  so  far  involve  them  in  that  judgment. 
We  find  Ps.  i.  1.  there  is  a  standing  in  the  way,  and  joining 
in  the  counsel  of  the  ungodly,  held  forth  as  a  partaking  with 
them  in  their  sin  ;  and  Ezek.  ix.  tells  us,  that  770/  mourning 
x 


170  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

for,  and  witnessing  a  dissent  aga'mst  the  national  sins  of 
the  time,  puts  men  far  out  of  that  blessed  roll  of  those 
whom  the  Lord  does  difference  from  others  by  a  mark  of 
his  preservation.  Now  as  to  that  other,  how  it  is  the  wick- 
ed  prolong  their  days  in  wickedness,  and  may  go  in  some 
external  peace  to  the  grave,  do  but  inquire  at  the  scripture  -r 
and  it  will  shew,  (1.)  It  was  no  less  strange  to  the  prophet 
Jeremiah,  xii.  They  prosper,  and  haw  taken  root.  Did  it 
not  amaze  that  blessed  man,  Ps.  lxxiii.  that  not  only  t/ieir 
eves  standout  with  fatness,  but  they  have  no  bands  in  their 
death  !  But  (2.)  Is  not  the  way  of  the  Lord  in  this  mani- 
fest, how  graciously  he  prevents  some  by  a  sad  temporal 
stroke,  and  can  serve  himself  of  a  scaffold  or  gibbet  to  bring 
about  their  mercy  ;  as  he  did  to  the  thief  on  the  cross  ; 
whilst  he  plagues  others  by  a  long  forbearance,  and  his 
holding  off  such  strokes,  Eccl  viii.  11.  the  dreadful  effects 
whereof  are  held  forth,  because  sentence  is  not  speedily  ex- 
ecuted against  wicked  men,  their  heart  is  therefore  set  on 
mischief.  (3.)  As  in  every  age  we  are  called  to  adore  the 
sovereignty  of  God  in  such  a  thing,  he  gives  men  also 
cause  to  observe  his  great  judgments,  some  remarkable 
strokes  on  his  adversaries  ;  which  they  cannot  pass  without 
such  a  remark,  Behold  a  man  that  made  not  God  his 
strength  !  Ps.  Hi.  7.  But  we  must  further  wait  for  that 
full  discrimination,  which  the  last  sentence  of  the  judge 
shall  put  betwixt  those  who  fear  the  Lord  and  those  who 
fear  him  not. 

THE    THIRD    ARGUMENT 

FOR  the  scripture's  accomplishment  is  this  ;  that 
which  not  only  the  christian's  experience,  and  observation 
of  the  church,  bear  witness  to,  but  is  also  a  truth  which 
even  to  the  view  and  conviction  of  the  world,  may  be  demon- 
strattd from  whom  it  doth  oft  force  a  testimony,  yea,  in  ev- 
ery age  the  worst  of  men  have  been  forced  to  acknowledge  ; 
it  must  be  a  thing  very  evident.  But  the  accomplishment 
of  the  scripture  can  be  thus  witnessed  ;  therefore,  &c. 

It  is  true,  those  sweet  and  sensible  enjoyments,  which  the 
saints  have  of  this  truth,  the  world  cannot  reach  ;  but  it  is 
also  sure,  that  in  every  age,  the  works  of  the  Lord,  and^ 
some  more  remarkable  convincing  providences,  both  of 
judgment  and  mercy,  do  solemnly  invite  men  to  observe 
the  accomplishment  of  the  word  therein  ;  yea,  no  time 
i  wanted  something  of  a  public  witness  from  ungodly 
HT-n,  even  the  greatest  mockers  of  religion,  who  under  that 
co- .straining  power  of  conscience  at  death,  or  in  some  day 
of  their  strait,  have  been  forced  to  seal  the  truth,  by  a  very 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture*  171 

open  confession  of  the  righteousness  of  God  towards  them. 
And  this  is  indeed  the  Lord's  blessed  design,  in  making 
his  works  sometime  so  conspicuous,  that  they  may  not 
only  confirm  the  faith  of  his  people,  but  render  atheism  in- 
excusable ;  that  the  glory  of  his  faithfulness,  as  well  as  of 
his  power,  and  wisdom,  may  shine  forth  before  the  sons  of 
men.  I  confess,  we  may  wonder  why  the  world  looketh 
so  little  upon  this;  and  how  the  conviction  of  so  great  a 
truth,  which  they  cannot  shun,  doth  not  more  press  them  : 
but  the  Holy  Ghost,  doth  fully  resolve  this,  The  brutish 
man  knoweth  not,  neither  do  fools  lay  to  heart,  how  the 
scripture  taketh  place,  thatjlourishing  of  wicked  men  is  but 
in  judgment  for  their  further  ruin. 

To  prosecute  this  argument  a  little,  there  are  some  special 
truths  I  would  instance,  wherein  the  faithfulness  of  God 
in  fulfilling  his  word  may  be  seen  by  the  world  >•  yea,  is 
obvious  to  the  most  ordinary  observers.  And  though  they 
be  but  a  few,  which  I  shall  here  touch,  yet  I  may  say,  they 
are  such  interesting  truths,  and  have  so  near  a  reference  to 
the  foundation  of  our  faith,  that  men  cannot  acknowledge 
the  same,  but  must  also  confess  the  scripture's  divinity, 
and  that  there  is  a  truth  and  reality  in. godliness  and  in  the 
christian  religion.  I  may  truly  here  with  some  confidence 
challenge  the  greatest  atheists,  yea,  appeal  to  their  con- 
science and  serious  thoughts,  if  in  these  following  in- 
stances (though  but  a  little  of  what  might  be  said  otysuch  a 
subject)  the  truth  and  accomplishment  of  the  scripture  be 
not  very  manifest. 

FIRST  I  shall  first  hold  forth  this  truth,  that  man  is 
surely  fallen  from  that  excellent  estate  wherein  once  he  was 
formed,  (Rom.  v.  18,  19.)  and  now  is  not  that  which  he 
was  at  the  beginning.  A  truth  so  clear  that  we  may  say, 
even  without  the  discovery  of  the  word,  might  be  easy  for 
any  serious  observer  to  discern  the  same  :  yea,  had  not 
even  heathens  some  glance  at  this  ?  The  evidence  whereof 
they  could  not  altogether  shun. 

It  is  true,  the  causeand  original  of  this  dreadful  conta- 
gion ;  how  sin  entered  into  the  world;  how  it  is  derived  to 
the  whole  race  of  man,  by  imputation,  as  well  as  inhesion  ; 
how  that  poison  is  carried  from  the  fountain  to  the  cistern  ; 
this  the  scripture  doth  only  discover  :  but  this,  I  am  sure, 
may  be  obvious  to  all,  that  poor  man  is  thus  sick  and  dis- 
eased, and  now  beareth  the  marks  of  such  a  fall  and  ruin, 
as  we  read  of  in  the  word.  I  confess,  it  is  strange,  that 
when  this  is  so  very  convincingly  manifest,  it  should  not 
force  men  to  some  more  serious  inquiry,  whence  such  a 
thing  is,  or  whether  there  can  be  a  recovery  o£  so  sad   and 


1 72  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

desperate  like  case.   But  to  clear  this  a  little,  I  would  offer 
these  three  things  to  be  considered. 

1.  That  there  is  some  remainder  of  that  excellent  fabric, 
which  rrny  yet  appear  among  its  ruins  !  some  print  and  ap- 
pearance (though  dark)  of  that  primitive  lustre  and  beauty; 
some  draughts,  which  sin  hath  not  wholly  worn  out ;  that 
may  clearly  tell  what  man  once  was,  and  point  out  his  for- 
mer excellency,  that  he  hath  been  another  creature,  of 
whom  Absalomys  character  might  be  truly  said,  without  all 
bkmish  from  the  head  to  the  foot  ^  For  we  see  the  deep  im- 
pressions of  a  deity  still  rooted  in  men,  even  among  the 
most  wild  and  savage,  which  no  invention  can  utterly  raze  ; 
we  see  some  common  principles  of  reason,  that  are  im- 
printed in  the  most  rude  and  ignorant ;  some  innate 
notions  and  ideas,  which  the  soul  hath  of  good  and  evil, 
among  all,  and  in  every  place  of  the  earth;  likewise  those 
natural  truths  koinai  ennoiai,  which  we  may  see  are 
no  ways  impressed  on  the  soul  from  any  objects  of  sense, 
but  such  whereto  men  by  an  unavoidable  necessity  are 
forced  to  assent:  and  besides,  what  meaneth  the  wit- 
ness of  the  conscience,  and  authority  thereof  in  every 
man,  which  they  cannot  possibly  decline  ?  O  do  not 
these  witness,  that  from  some  great  height  poor  man  hath 
fallen. 

2.  Doth  not  the  present  appearance  of  man's  nature 
clearly  shew,  that  he  is  fallen  into  some  dreadful  disease  } 
that  it  is  surely  overspread  with  some  horrid  Leprosy  and 
contagion,  the  symptoms  whereof  now  are  most  discerni* 
ble  ?  O  what  an  exorbitancy  doth  appear  in  his  desires  ? 
with  what  contrary  tides  is  he  hurried  ?  still  at  jar  with  his 
present  lot  !  his  reason  and  will,  once  in  a  sweet  league, 
are  now  at  war,  betwixt  which  he  is  oft  rent  in  pieces, 
as  one  betwixt  wild  horses.  How  is  he  now  restless 
in  an  unreasonable  pursuit  ?  he  laboureth  in  the  fire, 
and  for  a  shadow  :  yea,  what  do  these  tumults  and  com- 
motions of  the  earth  mean  ?  men  upon  the  smallest  ac- 
count sheathing  their  swords  in  others  bowels,  homo  homini 
lupus;  ruptures  in  families;  unsatiable  in  revenge,  and 
the  earth  so  oft  in  an  uproar  as  a  raging  sea.  O  do 
not  these  too  visibly  witness,  what  a  dreadful  disorder 
and  perturbation  there  must  be  within,  impetuous  boiling 
of  man's  lusts !  so  that  here  we  may  see  a  very  mani- 
fest rupture  and  breach  of  a  building,  once  well  knit  and 
framed. 

3.  I  would  ask,  wherein  man's  true  advantage  and  excel- 
lency y  above  others  of  the  creatures,  can  be  seen,  if  not 
with  some  respect  to  what  he  once  was,  and  that  blessed 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  173 

restoration  by  grace  :  for  his  knowledge  doth  oft  serve  but 
to  increase  his  sorrow  ;  to  shew  the  good  he  wanteth,  and 
the  coil  he  is  subject  to.  Is  there  any  of  the  creatures  sub- 
ject to  such  outward  misery  and  pain !  to  so  many  dis- 
eases !  yea,  as  to  a  sensual  life,  may  we  not  say,  the 
beasts  have  even  some  preference !  Or  are  these  so  unruly  ? 
do  they  so  much  go  out  of  their^  bounds  and  station  ? 
which  the  many  laws  made  for  man  in  the  world,  with  the 
convincing  necessity  thereof,  can  witness.  We  see  also 
that  sore  travel  is  appointed  to  man  ;  at  how  much  toil  he 
is  for  an  outward  subsistance  ;  how  lie  doth  oft  sow  and 
not  reap  ;  the  beasts  withdraw  from  the  yoke  ;  those  over 
whom  he  had  dominion,  ready  to  assault  him  ;  how  women 
bring  forth  their  children  in  sorrow  ;  the  men  are  attended 
with  fear,  their  life  oft  made  bitter  with  care  and  labour  ; 
yea,  as  men  increase  in  the  world,  their  care  and  discon- 
tent increasing  therewith  !  but  besides  all,  is  he  not  in  the 
greatest  slavery ,  of  all  the  creatures  through  the  violence 
of  his  lusts?  that  make  him  pursue  the  bait,  though  he 
knoweth  it  will  undo  him  ;  while  his  corruption  doth  oft 
like  a  strong  man  bind  him  in  fetters,  and  his  flesh  impe- 
riously drag  him  at  its  heels  !  O  may  we  not  say,  was 
poor  man  thus  framed  at  the  beginning  ?  or  raised  so  far 
above  the  rest  of  the  creatures,  only  to  make  him  the 
more  miserable  !  for  truly  if  a  lively  portrait  could  be 
drawn  of  sinful  depraved  nature,  there  is  none  so  gross  but 
should  abhor,  yea,  be  affrighted,  to  see  that  in  the 
third  person,  with  which  (alas)  they  are  so  friendly  to  in 
themselves. 

SECOND.  That  so  great  a  change  is  truly  wrought  up- 
on men  in  conversion,  (as  the  scripture  doth  promise  and 
hold  forth,  John  iii.  3,  6.  Eph.  ii.  1,  5.  Colos.  iii.  1,2.) 
wherein  something  above  nature,  even  the  marvellous  pow~ 
cr  of  the  grace  of  God,  may  be  seen  ;  is  a  truth  I  am  sure, 
known,  and  undeniable  to  the  voorld:  yea,  the  greatest 
mockers  at  religion  must  confess,  can  be  no  delusion,  but 
is  indeed  real  and  certain ;  upon  these  following  grounds. 

(1.)  That  the  most  gross,  who  in  their  practice  have 
been  openly  profane,  in  the  place  wherein  they  lived,  it 
hath  been  seen  how  grace  hath  reached  them  :  and  thus 
the  leopard  hath  been  made  to  change  his  spots,  and  such 
who  were  accustomed  to  do  evil,  have  learned  to  do  well. 
O  !  do  not  many  famous  instances  witness  this,  in  every 
age?  (2.)  Tha_  also  men  most  principled  in  their  judg- 
ment against  the  way  of  God,  who  were  wont  to  deride 
holiness  as  a  fancy,  even  on  such,  so  great  a  change  hath 
been  wrought,  as  hath  made  the  world  to  wonder :    but 


174  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

then  tliey  were  forced  to  lay  down  their  prejudice,  yea,  to 
wonder  at  themselves,  how  they  could  stand  before  the 
truth  so  long,  whereof  they  have  got  such  an  impression. 
Sure,  atheists  must  grant  there  have  been  as  professed  athe- 
ists as  themselves,  who  have  been  made  eminent  exam- 
ples of  grace.  (3.)  That  such  even  in  the  height  of  their 
wickedness,  (like  Saul  breathing  out  cruelty,  and  of  late 
Verger ius  while  he  was  writing  against  the  truth)  grace 
-hath  sometimes  reached  them.  It  hath  been  found,  that  of 
Christ's  greatest  enemies  some  have  thus  /alien,  upon  their 
high  places,  before  the  power  of  the  word  ;  some  such  tro- 
phies of  the  gospel's  conquest  have  been  conspicuous  in, 
every  age :  yea,  it  is  oft  seen,  that  some  remarkable 
height  in  sin  hath  proved  an  evident  crisis,  and  turn  in 
men's  condition,  either  to  judgment,  or  mercy.  (4.)  That 
some  of  the  most  eminent  adversaries  of  the  truth  have, 
through  grace,  been  made  eminently  useful  instruments  in 
the  church,  the  world  cannot  deny  ;  that  there  have  not 
been  choicer  vessels  of  honour,  more  zealous  for  the  Lord 
in  their  time,  than  such,  who  were  once  most  violent  in 
their  opposition.  (5.)  That  such  whom  the  world  did 
reckon  most  wise  and  discerning,  yea,  that  did  want  no 
judgment  to  know  the  value  of  outward  thmgs,  as  well  as 
others,  grace  hath  reached.  Can  the  atheists  object,  Do 
any  of  the  rulers,  or  rabbies  believe  in  Christ,  or  follow  that 
way  !  when  it  is  so  clear,  that  not  more  wise,  learned,  and 
judicious  (even  themselves  being  judges)  have  been  in 
their  time,  than  some  who  are  most  serious  in  the  matter 
r  f  religion.  (6.)  Hath  not  this  change  been  made  discern- 
ible upon  the  simple,  the  most  stupid,  and  dull,  yea,  upon 
some  such  as  their  natural  incapacity  might  have  obstruct- 
ed the  work,  if  something  above  nature  had  not  carried  it 
on !  which  may  be  also  manifest  by  some  change  even  on 
their  understanding,  to  shew  that  this  can  make  wise  the 
simple,  and  in  the  way  of  holiness,  the  wayfaring  man, 
though  a  fool,  shall  not  err.  (7.)  That  by  a  very  improba- 
ble mean,  the  word,  and  that  sometimes  by  weakest  instru- 
ments, we  see  this  great  change  hath  been  wrought  :  and 
it  is  remarkable,  how  little  of  the  work  of  conversion  did 
follow  the  putting  forth  of  miracles  in  the  primitive  times, 
but  by  the  simplicity  of  the  preached  gospel  much  more. 
For  indeed  the  conversion  of  a  soul,  and  such  a  change  is 
itself  some  way  a  miracle.  (8.)  That  they  are  not  a  few, 
on  whom  this  change  hath  been  wrought,  is  undeniable  : 
and  truly,  besides  these  ordinary  proofs,  I  think,  it  is  a 
great  defect  there  should  not  be  some  more  special  record 
by  the  church,  of  these  illustrious  and  eminent  instances  of 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  175 

the  grace  of  God,  which  have  been  in  such  an  age,  as  well 
as  remarkable  instances  of  judgment.  (90  >  Men  must  see 
thisfalleth  not  out  at  an  adventure,  which  is  wrought  up- 
on one,  and  not  another,  whilst  both  are  alike  discerning ; 
yea,  some  who  seem  furthest  from  the  grace  of  God,  very 
gross  and  rude,  have  been  taken,  when  the  more  civil  and 
refined,  and  of  a  more  promising  natural  disposition,  have 
been  passed  by.  O  doth  not  this  witness  the  grace  of  God  9 
and  sovereignty  thereof !  (10.)  Is  not  this  change  oft  dis- 
cernible upon  men  in  a  time  while  no  advantage  from  with- 
out doth  appear  ?  even  times  of  persecution  and  hazard, 
from  which  many  have  dated  their  first  acquaintance  with 
God  ;  when  they  could  expect  nothing  but  a  suffering  lot, 
Sure  there  must  be  something  above  nature  in  it.  (1 1.)  It  is 
also  known  how  great  a  cloud  of  witnesses  have  sealed  this 
truth.  O  \  can  there  be  such  an  universal  enchantment, 
that  in  every  age,  in  several,  yea,  in  most  remote  places  of 
the  earth,  hath  fallen  upon  so  many,  who  have  witnessed 
the  power  of  the  gospel  ?  or  can  all  these  be  void  of  under- 
standing ?  What  gain  or  outward  advantage  could  they  de- 
sign in  that  which  is  so  usually  attended  with  outward  haz- 
ard and  loss  !  or  what  credit  from  men,  while  it  maketh 
them  the  very  butt  of  the  world's  hatred  and  reproach  ? 
Yea,  can  it  be  thought  that  all  these  could  have  combined 
to  conspire  into  so  great  a  cheat .?  I  must  appeal  atheists  to 
their  serious  thoughts  of  this  matter.  (12.)  The  marvel- 
lous effect  of  this  change,  doth  it  not  witness  that  this  is  no 
fancy  or  delusion ;  when  men  are  reached  with  such  a 
stroke,  and  bytone  word,  as  hath  made  the  stout  hearted 
and  most  daring  to  tremble,  and  to  shew  by  their  very 
countenance,  that  there  is  another  tribunal  than  man's,  be- 
fore which  they  are  arraigned  ?  Must  it  not  be  sad  earnest, 
and  a  marvellous  power,  that  can  make  so  willing  a  di- 
vorce betwixt  men,  and  their  idols,  which  were  once  as 
their  right  eye  to  them ;  and  beat  them  off  that  ground  of 
self  righteousness,  which  they  had  been  so  long  establishing 
to  themselves ;  that  should  cause  them  also  choose  the  re-, 
proach  of  Christ,  and  his  cross,  before  any  outward  advan- 
tage, and  abandon  that  society,  without  which  sometimes 
they  could  not  live  ?  Must  not  this  speak  forth  something 
above  natural  reason  !  O  !  may  not  the  world  oft  wonder 
what  is  become  of  their  old  friends  !  though  I  confess,  this 
should  rather  put  them,  with  wonder  and  astonishment,  to 
some  serious  inquiry  whence  so  great  a  change  can  be  ! 

t  It  is  strange,  the  world  does  not  more  wonder  at  conver- 
sion, which  is  so  great  a  miracle,  yea  it  may  be  said,  one  of 
the  greatest  hath  been  in  the  earth  j  since  it  is  no  less  mar- 


1TG  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

vellous,  than  to  raise  out  of  the  grave  such  who  are  truly 
dead.  O  how  convincingly  demonstrative  is  this,  of  the 
truth  and  reality  of  grace  ;  yea,  even  .  to  the  view  of  the 
world,  does  witness  an  irresistible,  efficacious  power  with 
the  word,  that  convertcth  the  soul,  enlightens  the  eye,  and 
maketh  wise  the  simple,  Psal.  xix.  7.  Should  we  not  with 
astonishment  look  on  a  christian,  if  we  did  seriously  con- 
sider what  a  change  the  grace  of  Goi>  makes  here,  from 
that  he  once^  was,  and  how  great  a  change  glory  will  ere 
long  make  from  that  he  now  is  !  I  know,  there  are  many 
things  we  wonder  at  from  our  ignorance.  u  But  oh  1  it  is 
men's  ignorance  and  estrangement  from  this,  makes  it  so 
little  their  wonder.  For,  if  we  be  assuredly  persuaded  of 
the  truth  of  comer sion,  which  the  world  cannot  deny  with- 
out a  contradiction  both  to  sense  and  reason,  we  have  then 
three  great  truths  unanswerably  demonstrated.  1.  That 
the  scripture  of  God  is^  faithful  and  true,  which  holds  this 
forth.  2.  That  there  is  a  divine  spirit,  and«a power  above 
nature,  that  does  certainly  accompany  the  same.  3.  It  is 
then  clear,  there  are  two  contrary  states  in  another  world t 
since  they  are  here  so  manifest.  Now,  besides  these  evi- 
dences already  mentioned,  I  would  here  offer  some  further 
upon  so' grave,  and  weighty  a  subject,  to  shew  how  very 
clear  and  convincing  the  demonstration  of  this  truth  is, 
that  the  world  cannot  but  see  the  very  immediate  power  of 
God,  and  something  above  nature  in  conversion,  if  they  do 
not  shut  their  eyes  thereat.     Consider  but  these, 

(1.)  Is  it  not  a  strange  and  marvellous  thing,  that  could 
change  one  species  of  a  creature  into  another,  turn  a  wolf 
or  tyger  into  a  lamb,  sure  this  would  be  astonishing  !  yet 
such  a  change  is  here,  which  makes  so  vast  a  difference  be- 
twixt one  and  himself,  takes  him  off  his  former  delights  and 
exercises,  his  old  friends  and  society,  with  whom  he  once 
thought  the  time  short,  yea,  makes  the  man  who  was  a  per- 
secutor of  the  truth,  and  took  pleasure  therein,  now  rejoice 
to  suffer  persecution  on  that  same  account  !^  I  think,  the 
world  will  not  debate, -where  so  many  known  instances  are 
at  all  times  obvious.  (2.)  Is  it  not  marvellous,  which  can 
estrange  men  from  their  worldly  interests,  and  take  their 
heart  off  that  which  was  as  their  right  eye,  and  subdue  un- 
der them  that  winch  once  took  them  captive  at  its  pleasure  I 
O  does  it  not  shew,  they  have  got  their  eyes  opened  to  see 
things,  which  were  formerly  hid  !  Yea,  how  strange  is  it 
that  those  whose  predominant  sin  was  love  to  the  world,. 
and  have  been  in  their  natural  disposition  most  narrow  and 
griping,  that  they  could  not  allow  themselves  the  comforta- 
ble .use  of  that  they  had,  even  these  this  change  hath  so 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  177 

powerfully  reached,  as  to  cause  a  willing  surrender  and 
quitting  of  all  for  Christ !  I  could  offer  known  instances  of 
this  ;  and  those  at  as  great  an  advantage  then,  in  the  exer± 
cise  of  their  judgment  and  reason,  as  ever,  whom  the  world 
might  see  were  most  serious  and  composed  therein. 
(3.)  Would  you  debate  the  efficacious  power  of  that  which 
should  melt  and  dissolve,  the  hardest  stone  ?  and  may  you 
not  wonder  what  a  power  this  must  be,  which  will  make 
men  ?neltm\d  dissolve  in  tears ^  and  stand  trembling  before 
the  word,  who  through  their  life  were  known  to  be  most 
obdurate  and  stupid  ?  Yea,  is  not  this  great  change  some- 
times with  such  terror  and  downcasting  ushered  in,  that 
may  convince  observers,  it  is  a  matter  of  greatest  earnest \ 
and  no  counterfeit  ?  and  surely  these  must  be  reached  by 
some  power,  before  which  there  is  no  standing.  (4.)  How 
great  a  thing  is  that  which  takes  men  unawares,  beyond 
their  thoughts  and  intention  ;  Matthew,  and  those  other 
disciples,  did  not  know  in  the  morning  what  should  befal 
them  before  night  ;  it  was  indeed  a  happy  day,  when  on 
their  return  they  had  that  account  to  give,  We  have  found 
the  Messias  !  and  it  is  sure,  many  since  have  been  thus 
surprised  ;  yea,  in  one  hour  have  got  such  a  sight,  which 
will  never  go  from  their  heart  ;  they  now  see  what  report 
Could  never  have  made  them  believed ;  they  now  know 
what  it  is  to  be  taken  out  of  a  dreadful  gulf  of  darkness  into 
a  marvellous  light !  And  truly  there  is  this  usually  discern- 
ible in  it,  how  some  one  word  will  force  its  passage,  and 
take  fire  within,  as  a  word  beyond  all  others  fitly  spoken, 
and  fitted  by  divine  appointment  to  open  the  heart.  (5.)  It 
is  a  marvellous  change,  which  does  even  reach  young  ones, 
and  these  sometimes  of  an  age  little  above  infancy.  For  it 
is  certainly  known,  how  such  whose  years  might  shew 
there  was  no  design  to  cheat  the  world,  yea,  sometimes  in 
a  family  where  little  advantage  for  their  education  hath  ap- 
peared, have  given  evidence  of  this  wonderfully,  above 
themselves  and  their  age  ;  yea,  at  death  have  witnessed 
some  power  of  the  grace  of  God,  and  his  spirit  on  their 
soul,  their  hope  and  the  grounds  of  it,  with  such  judgment 
and  seriousness,  as  hath  forced  on  bystanders  this  discovery 
of  an  immediate  teaching  of  the^  Spirit,  and  of  a  mighty 
power  of  God,  that  can  witness  in  these,  ere  they  can  weil 
speak  or  exercise  reason,  the  power  of  religion.  O  whence 
should  this  be  !  and  truly  for  the  truth  thereof,  I  could  of- 
fer known  instances,  if  it  should  be  brought  on  debate. 
(6.)  What  a  change  is  it  that  does  also  reach  men  in  their 
old  age,  who  have  been  long  rooted  and  inured  to  the  world, 
who  have  sat  out  many  a  call,  in  their  resisting  the  gospel ; 
y 


178  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

yet  is,  it  not  seen,  how  these  in  their  gray  hairs  have  been 
made  to  weep  and  confess,  after  sixty  or  seventy  years  liv- 
ing under  the  gospel,  that  then  ouly  they  begun  to  know 
what  it  is  to  be  christians.  I  confess  this  is  one  of  the  rare 
trophies  of  the  grace  of  God  ;  yet  no  age  wants  some  such 
instances,  to  prove,  how  far  grace  can  prevail  over  nature, 
custom,  education,  and  all  those  disadvantages,  which  use 
to  attend  the  time  of  old  age.  (7.)  What  a  strange  power 
is  it,  which  hath  been  so  evidently  witnessed  on  some  hor- 
ridly flagitious,  who  have  outrun  others  in  all  manner  of 
wickedness ;  yea,  even  then  whilst  justice  was  crying  for 
punishment  to  cut  them  off,  grace  hath  stepped  in  to  save, 
and  reached  them  at  a  scaffold  or  gibbet !  It  is  sure  the 
world  cannot  question  this  truth  :  and  O  should  it  not  be 
convincing,  to  see  two  brought  to  a  public  death  for  some 
gross  crime,  who  have  the  same  hazard  before  them,  and 
the  same  means  made  use  of  for  their  conviction  ;  yet  the 
one  melting  in  contrition,  and  the  other  most  hardened  ! 
You  cannot  say,  that  this  is  from  a  different  nature  and  con- 
stitution, since  sometimes  those  of  a  more  promising  nature 
and  better  disposition,  have  been  seen  further  off,  than 
such  of  whom  least  was  expected.  (8.)  Is  it  not  a  strange 
change,  which  even  on  those^  where  no  ordinary  means 
could  be  subservient,  Cc;n  be  witnessed  ?  where  no  compa- 
ny, no  example,  no  usual  way  for  instruction,  can  be  al- 
leged ;  so  that  it  may  be  seen,  they  have  been  truly  taught 
of  the  Lord ;  that  there  is  such  a  thing  as  his  immediate 
teaching ;  that  in  a  very  extraordinary  way,  by  means 
most  improbable,  he  can  convey  himself  into  the  soul.^  In 
a  word,  this  can  be  no  result  of  one's  natural  complexion  ; 
for  then  it  would  appear  in,  and  accompany,  their  younger 
years  in  some  measure,  and  grow  up  with  them.  This 
change  also,  in  those  of  most  different  natures x  most  unlike 
and  cross  to  others  humour  and  disposition,  is  made  dis- 
cernible. Yea,  must  it  not  be  something  above  moral 
swasioUy  or  any  persuasives  of  human  eloquence,  since 
here  the  foolishness  of  preaching  is  found  more  effectual, 
than  any  such  way  ?  Yea,  it  is  seen  how  the  most  sublime 
and  polished  strains  of  oratory^  and  greatest  gifts,  have  oft 
come  short  of  that  success,  which  hath  followed  more  im- 
probable means.  I  shall  add,  O  is  not  this  something 
above  nature,  which  makes  men  partake  of  the  divine  na- 
ture■,  and  does  so  visibly  impress  the  image  of  God  on 
them ! 

I  shall  shut  this  up  with  three  remarkable  instances  of 
thepower  and  efficacy  of  grace  in  conversion  ;  of  which  in 
every  age  there  may  be  a  large  record.    First,  that  excel- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  179 

lent  man  Junius;  whose  life  we  have  in  some  measure 
set  down  by  himself,  with  many  notable  remarks  of  provi- 
dence, and  therein  shewing  the  LorcPs  engaging  him  at 
first ;  how  being  very  loose,  and  carried  away  with  evil 
company,  yea,  tempted  to  atheism,  he  was  one  day  moved 
to  go  and  read  the  scripture  ;  and  at  the  first  opening,  ac- 
costed with  that  of  the  first  of  John  ;  which  whilst  he  read, 
(as  he  says)  did  suddenly  astonish  him,  and  leave  a  mar- 
vellous conviction  on  his  soul,  of  the  divinity  of  the  subject, 
the  majesty  and  authority  of  the  writing ;  so  that  all  day  he 
knew  not  where,  and  what  he  was :  but  thus  turns  himself 
with  these  words  to  the  Lord,  Thou  wast  mindful  of  me,  0 
my  God,  according  to  the  multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies  ! 
Yea,  gives  this  account,  that  he  then  had  a  sight  ef  the 
scripture,  which  made  him  see  it  did  exceed  all  human  el- 
oquence; and  this  was  followed  with  such  power,  that  his 
body  trembled,  and  his  mind  became  astonished,  with  such 
a  surprising  and  marvellous  light :  and  from  that  day  he 
began  to  be  serious  in  the  way  of  the  Lord. 

.  A  second  instance  I  shall  offer  is,  the  remarkable  conver- 
sion of  worthy  Master  Bolton,  a  choice  minister  in  the 
church  of  England ;  in  whose  life  this  is  recorded,  that  be- 
ing eminently  profane,  a  horrid  swearer,  and  much  accus- 
tomed to  mock  at  holiness,  and  those  who  most  shined 
therein,  and  particularly  that  excellent  man  of  God,  Mr. 
Perkins,  then  preacher  in  Cambridge,  whom  he  much  un- 
dervalued for  his  plainness  in  preaching  the  truths  of  God  ; 
yea,#was  near  the  length  of  popery  :  but  on  the  Lord's 
gracious  appearance  to  him,  was  put  to  have  other  thoughts, 
with  a  very  remarkable  change  upon  him,  though  with 
that  terror,  that  (as  he  said  himself)  the  Lord  seemed  to 
run  upon  him,  like  a  giant,  throwing  him  to  the  ground, 
and  with  such  a  terrifying  discovery  of  sin,  as  caused  him 
to  roar  in  anguish,  and  oft  rise  in  the  night  on  that  account, 
which  continued  for  divers  months  ;  yea,  these  assaults  in 
the  pangs  of  the  new  birth  were  such,  that  it  might  have 
been  said,  Ut  nee  color,  nee  sensus,  nee  sanguis  super esset. 
But  at  last  a  blessed  sunshine  brake  out,  and  he  after  to  his 
old  age  proved  a  burning  and  shining  light.  Now  besides 
these  two  great  men,  I  think  it  not  unsuitable  (since  it  is  to 
commend  the  grace  of  God  and  witness  the  reality  thereof, 
who  of  all  kind  of  sinners,  as  well  as  of  all  kindreds  and  na- 
tions, hath  brought  some  to  glory)  that  I  set  down  one  ve- 
ry strange  instance  in  this  country,  of  a  poor  buggerer  who 
not  many  years  ago  was  put  to  death  in  the  town  of  Air, 
for  that  horrid  wickedness.  He  had  been  a  most  stupid 
and  brutish  person  ;  such  an  one  who  looked,  to  all  who 


180  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

kneudiim,  as  if  he  had  been  above  the  reach  of  ordinary 
means  :  but  in  the  prison,  the  Lord  did  marvellously  wit- 
ness the  power  of  his  grace,  and  in  such  a  measure  discov- 
ered to  him  his  sinfulness,  that  after  much  serious  exercise 
upon  his  soul,  and  sore^  wrestling,  a  most  kindly  word  of 
repentance  did  appear,  with  great  assurance  ;  so  that  when 
he  came  to  the  stake,  he  could  not  cease  from  crying  out  to 
the  people,  under  the  sense  of  pardon,  and  that  comforting 
sunshine  of  the  presence  of  God  ;  0  he  is  a  great  for  giver  ! 
He  is  a  great  for giver  /  and  had  therewith  these  words  ; 
Noiv  hath  perfect  love  cast  out  all  fear :  I  know ,  God  hath 
nothing  to  lay  against  me,  for  Jesus  Christ  hath  paidall, 
and  those  are  free  whom  the  son  makes  free  !  Thus,  in  a 
transport  of  wonder  and  joy,  did  he  die  ;  the  marvellous 
grace  of  God  raising  him  then  above  other  men,  who  not 
long  before  seemed,  in  some  respect,  below  a  beast. 

THIRD.  That  the  communion  and  fellowship  with  God, 
whereto  the  saints  are  in  this  life  admitted,  and  brought  near 
to  him  in  the  spirit,  is  a  inost  real  thing,  and  no  delusion  ; 
is  a  truth  which  may  be  very  convincingly  demonstrated 
even  to  the  view  of  the  world,  and  to  such  who  are  but  spec- 
tators of  the  same.  1  John  i.  3.  Phil.  iii.  20.  I  know, 
this  is  a  truth  that  must  be  spiritually  discerned,  and  there- 
fore the  world  cannot  know  it,  or  reach  that  unspeakable  joy 
and  delight,  which  is  found  by  the  saints  in  that  sweet  path  : 
yet  I  must  say,  there  are  some  things,  and  some  such  con- 
vincing evidences,  as  may  witness  to  men,  and  rationally 
demonstrate  the  same  ;  the  conviction  whereof  they  can- 
not possibly  shun,  if  they  but  come  near,  and  in  their  seri- 
ous thoughts  consider, 

1.  How  great  and  excellent  a  company ;  do  bear  this  testi- 
mony, even  as  many  as  in  every  time  did  ever  serve  God 
in  the  spirit.  Is  not  this  transmitted  by  the  father  to  the 
children,  as  their  experience  ?  And  as  certainly  tried  by 
succeeding  ages  ;  a  truth  which  is  not  once  or  twice  prov- 
ed in  the  christian's  life  !  For  the  proofs  thereof  are  innu- 
merable, and  past  reckoning,  which  they  have  had  ;  yea, 
amongst  all  the  saints  since  the  days  of  AbeU  to  this  present 
time,  there  was  never  one  contradictory  witness  could  be 
produced. 

2.  Are  not  those,  who  do  thus  testify  what  they  have  oft 
found  in  secret  retirements  to  God,  such  whose  testimony \ 
in  any  other  matter,  the  worst  of  men  could  not  refuse,  or 
deny  to  be  famous  ?  I  am  sure,  the  world  is  convinced, 
that  the  followers  of  Christ  dare  not,  yea,  use  not  to  deal 
falsely  in  other  things  with  those  they  have  to  do  with,  how- 
ever their  malice  carry  them  to  reproach  them  ;   yea,  that 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  181 

they  are  more  to  be  credited,  than  such,  who  make  £ 

scorn  of  religion.  m  4* 

3.  Have  they  not  had  as  great  interest,  and  share  of  the 
world  as  others,  and  been  of  as  discerning  spirits  to  know 
the  true  value  of  things,  who  from  their  experience  do  not 
only  declare,  there  is  an  undoubted  reality  in  converse  with 
God  ;  but  that  the  joy  and  delight  herein,  which  they  have 
found,  is  above  all  the  pleasures  of  the  flesh  ?  O !  what 
must  that  b£,  which  could  make  such,  who  wanted  no  out. 
ward  allurements,  who  had  not  lost  their  taste,  and  were 
flesh  and  blood  as  well  as  others,  to  turn  their  back  on  all 
for  Christ,  and  by  their  walk  testify  they  have  found  some 
more  satisfying  enjoyment  in  fellowship  with  God  ? 

4.  Must  not  this  be  very  obvious,  and  convincing,  that 
when  men  once  become  serious  in  the  way  of  God,  they 
have  got  some  new  acquaintance  ?  that  sure  there  is  anoth- 
er world,  and  some  other  society,  than  that  of  men,  with 
which  they  have  intercourse.  Whence  are  these  frequent 
retirements,  from  which  they  have  been  seen  so  oft  to  come 
forth  with  greatest  satisfaction,  and  with  some  remarkable 
change  in  their  case  ?  Doth  it  not  thus  appear^  They  are 
not  alone,  when  they  are  alone  ;  yea,  in  such  a  solitude  must 
find  something  very  desirable  ? 

5.  Is  not  this  also  testified,  in  times  when  men  could 
not  well  dissemble,  or  be  suspected  of  deceit  ?  In  times  of 
great  outward  affliction ;  when  the  world  also  hath  been 
most  tempting  them  with  its  offers ;  yea  at  death  when  they 
are  stepping  over  that  threshold ;  a  time,  wherein  the  words 
of  dying  men  are  of  greatest  weight  and  credit,  the  spirits 
of  such  being  then  more  unbiassed,  and  free  of  those  ordi- 
nary temptations  wherewith  others  are  swayed  !  How  oft 
have  they  at  such  times  declared,  that  surely  God  is  famil- 
iar with  men,  which  they  have  found,  and  though  they 
were  going  to  change  their  place,  yet  were  not  to  change 
their  company  ! 

>  6.  Can  that  be  a  delusion,  which  is  so  sensible  at  the 
time  present  ?  When  the  saints  are  not  more  sure  that  they 
live,  than  they  are  sure  of  this  truth,  what  near  approaches 
and  refreshing  views  they  ^  have  got  while  God  hath  come 
near  to  their  soul,  what  a  discernible  elevation  of  their  spir- 
its doth  go  along  with  this  ?  Yea,  on  the  other  hand,  as  the 
withdrawing  hereof  is  very  sensible  to  themselves,  is  there 
not  something  of  this  even  obvious  to  those  about  them, 
how  great  a  change  and  difference  this  will  make  in  their 
case,  from  other  times,  which  they  cannot  get  hid  ? 

7.  Doth  not  something  of  this  truth  appear  on  the  very 
$  countenance  and  outward  carriage  of  christians  ?   what  a 


1*3  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

lustre,  and  resemblance  of  heaven,  a  holy  stayedness  and 
£t>m*wure  of  spirit,  when  they  have  been  brought  near  God, 
in  secret  converse  with  him,  and  taken  up  to  the  moun- 
tain !  In  a  word,  doth  not  the  walk  of  a  serious,  mortified 
christian  convincingly  witness  this  ?  yea,  it  cannot  but  be 
some  waj*  astonishing  to  the  world,  what  should  make 
<hem  look  so  well,  and  with  such  satisfaction,  when  no  vis- 
ible cause  for  it,  when  shut  up  in  prison  from  converse  with 
fiends,  and  acquaintance  ?  Sure,  men  will  not  think  a  ra- 
tional spirit  so  mad  as  to  quit  their  former  pleasures, 
and  choose  the  cross,  that  they  may  only  deceive  the  world 
^i'th  a  counterfeit  joy  and  satisfaction,  if  they  did  not  real- 
ly find  the  same.  And  while  it  is  too  too  evident,  what  a 
dreadful  society  and  commerce  many  have  with  the  devil, 
should  any  question  or  debate  ;  whether  the  saints  have 
truly  communion  and  fellowship  with  God,  the  Father  of 
Spirits,  whom  they  serve  and  worship. 

FOURTH.  That  the  righteous  is  more  excellent  than 
his  neighbour,  Prov.  xii.  26.  and  hath  another  spirit,  which 
is  greater  and  more  choice,  than  that  which  is  in  the  world \ 
is  a  truth,  which  I  am  sure,  men  (notwithstanding  all  their 
prejudice)  must  needs  confess  ;  and  that  therein  the  scrip- 
ture is  truly  verified,  when  such  clear  and  convincing  evi- 
dences do  stare  them  in  the  face.  I  confess,  the  saints  are 
fnuch  under  a  dark  cloud  here,  through  the  prevalence  of 
corruption ;  yea,  are  oft  accounted  as  the  filth  of  the  world: 
but  when  grace  in  any  greater  measure,  and  in  vigorous 
exercise,  doth  shew  itself,  then  there  appeareth  so  much  as 
will  darken  all  the  grandeur  of  this  earth,  and  force  men  to 
see  an  excellency  upon  the  s&ints,  beyond  any  others. 
They  cannot  altogether  shun  such  a  conviction,  1.  What 
an  evident  difference  is  betwixt  their  way,  who  walk  with 
God,  and  that  of  the  most  polished  moralist.  Something 
is  in  the  one,  which  doth  witness  a  more  excellent  spirit, 
a  higher  elevation,  a  sweet  harmony,  and  equability  in  their 
way,  that  they  move  in  some  higher  sphere,  act  from  other 
principles,  with  a  respect  to  some  greater  interest,  than  any 
thing  here,  have  more  of  a  large  heart  to  s'Tve  their  gene- 
ration, than  these  whose  sjelf  interest  is  seen  to  be  the  first 
and  last  in  all  their  motions. 

2.  May  it  not  also  appear  to  observers  that  tender  seri- 
ous christians  who  live  near  God,  do  truly  witness  their 
resemblance  and  likeness  to  him  ;  to  whom  they  move,  as  to 
their  great  and  last  end  ?  yea,  do  evidence  a  more  true  ex* 
cellency  of  spirit,  what  a  sweet  calm  and  serenity  they  have 
within  while  going  through  things  that  are  most  cross  and 
vexing;  with  what  discernible  quietness  these  can  look 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  183 

upon  most  affrighting  revolutions  in  the  world,  as^ick 
whose  treasure  and  great  interest  is  beyond  hazard,  uWigh 
the  earth  were  all  turned  to  ashes. 

3.  Is  there  not  so  much  in  the  way  and  carriage  of  the. 
saints,  yea,  such  a  majesty  and  authority,  that,attendeth 
holiness,  and  doth  force  respect  and/<?ar,  even  from  those 
who  most  hate  them  ;  yea,  and  doth  force  men  to  justify 
such  in  their^  conscience,  whom  they  openly  reproach  and 
persecute  ;  whence  it  is,  that  a  serious  tender  christian  i$. 
oft  a  scarecrow  and  terror  to  the  profane,  whenthere  is  nQ 
outward  cause  for  it,  but  that  they  are  struck  with  the  con- 
viction of  a  more  excellent  spirit  in  these,  carrying  such  a 
resemblance  to  the  image  of  God,  as  forceth  fear  and  sub- 
jection from  that,  spirit  which  is  in  the  world. 

4.  Doth  not  a  christian  and  holy  walk  cause  men  tQ 
shine  as  a  light  in  the  midst  of  a  crooked  and  perverse^  gene- 
ration ?  Yea,  darken  all  their  neighbours  \  And  in  the 
darkest  night,  is  it  not  seen  how  grace  shineth  with  the 
greatest  lustre  ?  what  a  sweet  and  odoriferous  scent  doth 
this  send  through  the  country,  where  they  live  ;  that  may 
shew  to  all,  how  great  a  difference  there  is  betwixt  such, 
and  those  who  are  wallowing  in  this  puddle  of  the  earth  ! 

5.  Is  it  not  obviqus,  what  a  lustre  and  beauty,  yea,  some- 
thing more  becoming  our  immortal  soul,  that  is.  in  the  self- 
denial  of  christians,  their  bearing  injuries,  forgiving  such 
a.s  injure  them,  without  reviling,  than  in  that  proud  vindic- 
tive spirit  that  is  in  the  world ;  that  sure  such  walk  by  a 
more  excellent  rule,  and  move  from  a  higher  principle  ! 

6.  It  may  be  also  evident  to  the  world,  what  another 
spirit  is  in  those  who  do  not  run  with  the  current  of  every 
time,  nor  yield  to  men  because  of  their  outward  power ■,  than 
in  that  spirit  which  is  in  the  world  ?  that  while  the  one 
doth  press  men  to  save  themselves  on  any  terms,  the  other 
doth  cause  the  christian  to  take  up  his  cross,  yea,  lay  down 
his  life,  to  save  his  conscience  !  And  whence  is  that  pa- 
tience, and  resolution,  by  which  the  godly  in  times  of  suf- 
fering have  overcome  their  persecutors ;  their  bold  avow- 
ing of  the  truth  before  men,  when  hazards  are  most  obvi- 
ous ;  and  that  advantage,  wherewith  they  appear  above 
others,  in  such  a  time  ?  O  !  doth  it  not  clearly  witness, 
they  are  of  another  metal,  who  do  thus  abide  the  fire  ;  yea, 
become  more  bright  by  that  wherewith  others  are  con- 
sumed ? 

I  would  add,  that  which  the  world  cannot  deny,  how 

this  spirit,  which  is  in  the  saints,  hath  prevailed  over  the 

greatest  enticements  of  carnal  gain  and  pleasure,   which  to 

•  many  may  seem  a  wonder  :  as  the  popish  party  did  once 


184  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

say  of  Luther,  Bestiahoecnon  curat  aurum.  That  which 
tnej^pid  speak  in  contempt^  that  it  did  prove  him  a  beast y 
did  in  effect  shew  him  therein  to  be  something  above  men  ; 
for  that  is  a  tiling  before  which  the  spirit  of  the  world  could 
never  stand. 

FIFTH.  That  the  promised  encouragement,  which  is 
held  forth  to  the  people  of  God  under  trouble  and  suffering 
for  his  name,  is  a  truth,  and  the  scripture  herein  verified,  I 
am  sure,  not  only  christian  experience  can  witness,  but 
may  even  to  ihQ  observation  of  others,  be  demonstrated 
Jrom  very  convincing  grounds,  that  it  is  no  fancy  or  delu- 
sion. Ps.  ix.  9.  Is.  li.  12. 

1.  The  very  countenance  and  outward  appearance  of  the 
godly,  in  a  suffering  time,  doth  oft  declare  the  peace  and 
tranquillity  of  their  soul,  so  as  surely  they  must  have  joy 
and  satisfaction  from  whence  the  world  doth  not  know,  and 
have  some  other  correspondence,  than  with  things  visible. 
For  it  may  be  oft  said,  as  of  Danielr  and  his  fellows,  that 
under  greatest  pressures  and  a  very  mean  condition  they 
look  as  Well,  yea,  with  as  much  cheerfulness,  as  those  who 
live  on  the  king's  allowance. 

2.  It  can  be  no  counterfeit,  which  should  thus  reconcile 
the  christian  with  a  suffering  lot.  For  it  is  known  how  very 
searching  affliction  and  trouble  proveth  ;  which  oft  doth 
broach  the  vessel,  and  bring  forth  what  hath  formerly  most 
closely  lurked.  And  O !  doth  not  that  holy  confidence 
and  freedom,  which  the  saints  have  evidenced  in  confess- 
ing the  truth,  before  the  princes  of  this  world  and  their 
most  cruel  adversaries,  yea,  that  cheerfulness  which  in 
most  extreme  articles  of  suffering  they  oft  do  witness,  even 
when  they  are  resisting  to  the  blood  ;  doth  not  this  speak 
forth  something  beyond  the  gallantry  of  a  natural  spirit, 
that  far  exceedetjxjhe  ordinary  way  of  men,  and  is  a  thing 
the  world  cannot  but  wonder,  and  whether  they  will,  or 
will  not,  see  God's  very  immediate  help,  and  hand  in  thg 
same,  according  to  his  word  ? 

3.  Is  it  not  seen,  how  the  cheerful  way  of  the  godly  un- 
der suffering,  while  there  is  no  outward  ground  for  the 
same,  doth  not  only  astonish,  but  is  an  exceeding  torment 
to  adversaries  ?  when  they  are  forced  to  see,  how  all  their 
endeavours  (when  their  wrath  and  malice  hath  been  to  the 
utmost  put  forth)  have  yet  been  in  vain,  either  to  turn  them 
aside,  or  to  ruin  their  encouragement ;  but  that  the  most 
sharp  sufferings  of  the  godly  do  still  give  them* the  sorest 
dash,  help  to  strengthen  others,  justify  God's  way,  and  that 
tender  respect  he  hath  to  his  suffering  people,  even  before 
all  observers  ! 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  185 

4.  Is  it  not  also  manifest,  that  such  whose  natural^ dis- 
position was  known  to  be  very  fainting  and  timorous,  yet 
when  called  to  suffer  for  the  truth,  have  without  the  least 
appearance  of  discouragement,  showed  an  invincible  reso- 
lution, and  not  only  their  own  fears,  but  the  expectations  of 
others  have  a  marvellous  disappointment  !  O  is  there  not 
there  a  visible  fulfilling  of  the  scripture,  that  shaking  reeds. 
should  be  made  to  stand,  where  strongest  cedars  have  bow- 
ed ;  yea,  some  of  very  mean  and  ordinary  parts  have  been 
so  discernibly  raised  above  themselves,  as  they  were  made 
to  confound  the  wise  and  learned  ! 

5.  Must  it  not  be  confessed,  that  the  Zealand  resolution: 
of  die  saints  did  never  more  appear  than  in  times  of  great- 
est opposition  ?  that  at  no  time  they  have  looked  more  like" 
christians  with  more  advantage,  and  with  some  peculiar 
beauty  and  lustre  of  the  grace  of  God,  than,  under  suffer-* 
ing  !  a  thing,  which  as  it  eminently  doth  commend  the 
gospel,  hath  also  so  far  convinced  their  enemies,  as  in  some 
measure  it  hath  blunted  their  ed^t,  and  taken  off  thcic 
prejudice  against  the  way  of  God,  and  followers  thereof. 

6.  I  may  appeal  the  greatest  atheists  to  their  conscience* 
if  any  moral  arguments,  (whatever  influence  they  may  have 
upon  men's  patient  enduring)  could  ever  produce  such  ef- 
fects, as  rejoicing  in  tribulation,  the  choosing  affliction  be- 
fore sin  and  all  its  pleasures  ;  making  men  to  triumph  over 
persecutors,  and  to  go  with  such  a  calm  and  cheerfulness 
to  a  scaffold,  to  sing  amidst  a  dark  prison,  yea,  and  to 
abound,  and  haw  all  things,  under  greatest  want  ?  O  ! 
whence  is  this  !  Sure,  something  above  nature  must  be 
here,  that  is  stronger  than  moral  reasons,  by  which  the 
saints  have  thus  overcome  the  world  /  Yea,  is  it  not  obvious 
to  all  who  look  on,  how  great  a  difference  there  is  betwixt 
the  pretended  re  solution  of  a  natural  spirit  in  death  and  suf- 
fering, and  that  joy  and  confidence  of  a  christian,  which 
hath  then  showed  the  composure  and  tranquillity  of  his 
soul  within  ?  The  one  being  but  a  dark  shadow,  and  the 
other  drawn  to  the  life. 

SIXTH.  That  there  is  a  conscience  within  men,  whose 
power  both  as  a  judge,  and  witness,  doth  answer  that  clear 
discovery  the  scripture  giveth  thereof,  Rom.  ii.  9.  is  a  thing 
obvious  even  to  the  world,  which  they  must  needs  confess, 
both  from  its  visible  effect  on  others,  and  the  working 
thereof  within  themselves.  That  herein  the  word  is  veri- 
fied, these  things  make  it  clear  and  undeniable, 

1.  That  sure  there  is  something  within,  which  thus 
maketh  men  afraid \o  be  alone  with  themselves,  yea,  will 
.  cause  them  to  go  abroad,  and  frame  diversions,  to  be  out 
z 


186  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

of  itsjopise  :  must  it  not  be  sad  earnest,  which  hath  so 
dreaqjul  a  sound  in  their  ear,  doth  haunt  the  wicked  man 
whether  he  will,  or  not  ?  wherewith  he  would  gladly  be 
at  peace  ;  but  amidst  his  greatest  mirth  and  prosperity  this 
doth  mingle  his  wine  with  gall  and  wormwood. 

2.  Is  it  not  also  sure,  that  men  have  oft  an  accuser  with- 
in their  breast  (while  they  seem  to  brave  it  out  before  oth- 
ers) whose  judgment  and  sentence  they  can  by  no  means 
decline  ;  but  after  the  committing  of  sin,  yea,  on  the  back 
of  their  sinful  pleasures,  doth  follow  the  same  with  a  bitter 
sting,  and  ring  this  dreadful  peal  in  their  ear,  that  in  the 
end  their  way  will  be  bitterness  !  O  1  is  not  this  an  accus- 
ing conscience,  which  doth  begin  the  torment  of  some  be- 
fore the  time  1 

3.  What  is  it  that  should  make  men's  guilt  so  legible 
oft  in  their  countenance,  even  when  they  study  most  to  con- 
ceal it,  and  thus  cause  them  to  give  their  tongue  the  lie  ; 
yea,  bewray  to  bystanders,  whether  they  will  or  not,  some 
secret  trouble,  and  sore  they  have  within  I  Doth  it  not 
clearly  shew  the  power  of  conscience,  which  hath  such  au- 
thority on  men,  that  without  violence  or  constraint  from 
others,  doth  even  force  them  to  confess  the  truth,  and  sup- 
ply the  room  of  witnesses  ; 

4.  Whence  is  it,  that  some  are  so  much  disquieted  for 
secret  sins,  which  the  eyes  of  others  could  not  reach,  yea, 
that  as  to  some  gross  sins,  even  the  most  profligate  amongst 
men,  have  an  horror  at  them,  without  respect  to  outward 
hazard  ?  Doth  it  not  shew,  the  power  of  natural  conscience, 
that  holdeth  forth  a  greater  party,  than  the  world  with 
which  they  have  to  do,  to  whom  all  things  are  manifest,  and 
some  greater  ivitness  than  that  of  man  ? 

5.  How  is  it  that  even  greatest  men,  whom  the  world 
could  not  reach,  and  in  the  midst  of  all  probable  advan- 
tages, have  yet  often  most  ajfrighting  thoughts,  much  ter- 
ror, and  disquieting  reflections  ?  Must  it  not  be  something 
within,  which  doth  cause  them  to  fear,  another  power  than 
that  of  the  world,  and  a  judgment  greater  than  of  men  ? 

6.  What  must  it  b«f  which  doth  force  men  to  justify 
God,  when  his  hand  doth  pursue  them,  and  maketh  them 
so  easily  find  out  sin  in  a  time  of  their  strait  ?  Why  is  the 
.sense  of  guilt  so  very  affrighting  at  death?  Is  it  not  the 
conscience,  which  doth  presage  a  future  judgment,  and 
extend  its  power  to  matters  of  an  everlasting  concernment 
and  duration  ? 

•  7.  What  should  make  men  tremble  at  the  word,  and  so 
much  hate  a  searching  ministry  I  Is  it  not  because  the 
light  doth  torment  them  r  That  though  the  word  doth  par- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scrip  furs.  187 

ticularly  name  none,  yet  there  is  something  within,  which 
maketh  application  of  the  truth,  and  doth  plainly  say,  Thou 
art  the  man  t 

8.  How  do  the  worst  of  men  oft  justify  those  in  secret, 
whom  they  openly  have  condemned :  that  while  they  are 
even  persecuting  the  saints  for  truth,  and  holiness,  yet  for 
these  they  give  them  and  their  way  a  favourable  testimony, 
notwithstanding  all  their  prejudices  ?  Yea,  what  is  it  that 
doth  cause  a  secret  fear  and  awful  regard  of  such  whom 
they  hate  ?  Doth  it  not  shew  something  within,  whose 
judgment  they  are  not  able  to  resist  ? 

9.  I  must  further  ask,  whence  is  that  horror,  and  those, 
dreadful  cries  and  groans,  which  wicked  men  oft  have  in 
their  sickness,  even  such  who  were  wont  to  sport  at  sin, 
with  a  daring  countenance  ?  Can  the  world  get  this  passed 
without  some  remark,  how  intolerable  a  thing  an  evil  con- 
science is,  when  once  let  loose  ?  when  in  all  ages  such 
terrifying  examples  of  this  kind  have  been  set  up,  for  all 
that  passed  by  to  look  on,  such  as  Spira,  I.atomus,  Olha- 
rius,  &c.  And  truly  I  think,  it  is  a  great  defect,  that  there 
should  not  be  a  more  particular  record  of  such,  which  would 
give  atheism  so  great  a  dash ;  yea,  force  men  to  confess 
the  truth  of  a  deity,  and  of  the  written  word. 

This  is  a  great  truth,  and  a  great  demonstration  of  God 
(blessed  for  ever  !)  his  being,  and  of  the  truth  of  his  word, 
that  there  is  a  conscience  :  so  strange  a  power,  which  every 
man  hath  within  him  and  over  him,  that  forceth  the  soul 
to  a  reflection  on  itself,  even  when  it  trembles  at  that  sight, 
and  with  an  awful  sound  tells  the  atheist,  there  is  a  God, 
when  he  seems  to  have  no  fear  or  conviction  thereof!  This 
is  that  great  tormentor  and  trotibler  of  the  work',  from 
which  there  is  no  retreat,  though  one  should  flee  to  the  ut- 
termost parts  of  the  earth  :  this  keeps  a  high  court  of  jus- 
tice under  the  authority  of  the  great  Judge,  and  there  with- 
out  respect  of  persons  does  summons  great  and  small,  docs 
arrest,  bring  in  witness,  and  passes  sentence,  yea,  in  sp*fte 
measure  puts  that  in  execution,  and  can  make  hell  begin 
tlure,  by  an  inexpressible  anguish  and  horror.  It  is  strange, 
that  such  a  thing,  when  it  is  so  undeniable,  does  not  stare 
the  world  in  the  face  with  more  amazement.  But  I  shall 
further  offer  some  few  evidences  of  this  truth,  besides  those 
already  mentioned. 

(1.)  Could  there  be  such  a  power  in  man  to  difference 
betwixt  that  good  and  evil  which  is  within  him,  if  there 
were  not  also  some higher  power  ariove  him,  who  hath 
thus  formed  him,  with  such  principles  :  Yea,  could  there 
be  a  judging  and  witnessing  within  a  man,  if  there  were  not 


188  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

a  law  and  rule  over  him  ?  For  it  is  sure,  the  conscience  in 
all  its  actings  hath  respect  to  a  higher  judgment,  and  to  a 
law,  which  even  nature's  light,  though  very  dim,  holds 
forth,  but  is  express  and  clear  in  the  scripture  which  is 
that  great  rule  of  the  conscience.    (2.)  Is  it  not  very  strange, 
to  see  such  a  power  within  a  man,  and  yet  against  him  ; 
that  the  grossest  atheist  is  an  enemy  to  it,  yet  cannot  be 
without  it,  or  get  it  shaken  off ;  and  whilst  it  is  known 
how  strong  a  bias  and  inclination  these  have  to  evil,  more 
than  good,  they  are  yet  forced  to  justify  the  one,  more  than 
the  other  !  The  drunkard  cannot  drown  this  conviction, 
nor  the  worldling  bury  it  in  the  earth,  where  his  treasure 
lies.     (3.)  Though  men  may  come  some  length  to  divert 
the  conscience  and  silence  it,  that  it  cannot  exercise  its 
function,   without  some    special   divine  excitation  ;    yet 
is  it  not  manifest,  how  then  when  once    it  is  awaked, 
there    is    no   possible    withstanding  /    Then  the   stout 
hearted  cannot   keep   his    ground,    to  debate  with    it ; 
yea,  when  they  run,  it  follows  with  as  swift  a  pace  ;    no 
skill,  no  arguments  can  defend  from  its  force  ;  there  is  no 
violence  against  such  a  power,  but  whilst  in  the  practice  of 
sin  they  overreach  the  witness  of  men,  lo  !  this  is  contin- 
ually at  hand  to  tell  them,  that  he  who  is  greater  than  the 
conscience,  does  regard.     (4.)  Can  any  thing  be  more  real 
and  certain,  than  these  effects  of  the  conscience,  I  mean 
that  trouble  and  fear  men  have  in  sinning,  and  that  peace 
*and  satisfaction  that  attends  welldoing  ;  Do  you  know  such 
a  place  of  the  earth,  whether  this  power  hath  not  some  ac- 
cess to  overawe  men,  even  without  any  visible  awe  or  haz- 
ard ?  And  can  all  mankind,  through  the  whole  world,  in 
all  ages,  be  in  so  strange  a  delusion,  if  there  were  no  real 
ground  for  it  ?  (5.)  How  convincingly  does  this  witness  to 
a  conscience,  and  the  reality  of  it,  that  men  are  at  so  much 
work  to  bribe  it,  to  frame  diversions  thereto,  yea,  to  find 
out  false  grounds  of  peace,  and  some  such  gloss  and  com- 
mentary, as  many  reconcile  the  rule  with  their  grossest 
actings  and  exorbitances  ?  And  why  is  this,   but  that  in 
outdaring  it,  they  find  it  stronger  than  they,  and  therefore 
must  counterwork,  by  darkening  that  great  light,  and  find 
out  some  shew  of  reason  to  silence  conscience,  and  prom- 
ise peace  to  themselves,  though  they  walk  in  the  wicked- 
ness of  their  heart.     (6.)  Do  not  these  strange  extremes, 
which  oft  are  obvious  in  men's  condition,  witness  the  re- 
ality of  this  power  ?  O  what  a  marvellous  thing,  to  see  one 
stupid,  this  day  ;  and  desperate  the  next,  the  conscience 
breaking  out,  at  that  rate,,  that  to  be  rid  thereof  and  its  tor- 
ment,  the  poor  mah  would  seek  a  shelter  in  the  grave  I 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  189 

Yea,  is  it  not  usual  to  see  some  wear  out  their  time  as 
beasts,  yet  at  dying  seized  with  an  inexpressible  horror  of 
God  ?  Is  not  this  something  wakened,  which  was  former- 
ly asleep  ?  (7.)  Do  not  men  see  such  desperate  acts  of 
wickedness  in  the  world,  such  furious  running  over  warn- 
ings and  convictions,  that  may  even  convincingly  shew 
some  pursuit  of  the  conscience,  and  that  horrid  way  they 
take  to  be  rid  of  it  by  revenge,  to  give  it  a  further  wound 
and  silence  its  noise,  by  some  violent  deep  stroke  !  (8.) 
Are  not  these  sudden  unlooked  for  outbieakings  of  the  con- 
science most  remarkable  ;  how  it  takes  _  some  unawares 
and  grows  upon  them,  the  more  they  strive  with  it  ?  It  is 
known  also,  what  reflections  men  usually  have  on  them- 
selves and  their  actions,  in  some  present  exigent  and  haz- 
ard; yea,  how  they  are  thus  affrighted,  or  in:  some  meas- 
ure quiet,  as  they  are  put  to  condemn  or  acquk  themselves 
on  that  score.    Now  is  not  this  a  convincing  witness  of  the 
force  of  a  natural  conscience  ;  and  likewise  that  usual  re- 
course, which  the  grossest  of  men  will  in  such  an  extremi- 
ty have  to  God  by  prayer,  does  both  declare  this,  and  that 
impression  they  have  upon  them  of  a  deity.     (9.)  How 
marvellous  a  confidence  and   support  does  the  conscience 
afford  where  it  is  a.  friend,  under  the  greatest  misery  and 
trouble  from  without ;  for  thus  a  mail's  spirit  can  sustain 
its  infirmities.    But  O  when  it  is  an  adversary,  nothing 
(nothing)  so  insupportable ;  it  will  torment  and  tear  one 
within,   when  there  is  none  without  dare  provoke  him  ! 
yea,  cause  the  oppressor  to  tremble,  whilst  it  upholds  the 
oppressed  with  confidence  ;  it  makes  the  one  eat  his  bread 
with  joy,  when  it  im  bitters  the  pleasant  morsels  oi  others. 
SEVENTH.     That  there  is  a  reward  for  the  righteous, 
and  unquestionable  gain  in  godliness,  is  a  piece  of  the  scrip- 
ture not  only  well  known,  and  witnessed  to  the  observing 
christian  in  his  experience,  but  is  also  held  forth  in  every 
age,  as  in  great  letters  to  the  view  of  the  world.  Ps.  lviii. 
11.  xcvii.  11.  Isl'iii.  10.     It  is  true,  that  the  christian's 
lot  is  oft  followed  with  much  trouble,  and  sometimes  with 
loss  of  his  life,  which  may  seem  to  have  a  very  dismal  as- 
pect.   For  that  great  goodness,  which  the  man  who  feareth 
God,  hath  ensured  to  him,  is  much  laid  up  in  another 
world  :  but  it  is  also  sure,  that  there  are  such  clear  con- 
vincing proofs  of  this  truth  held  forth  even  to  the  observa- 
tion of  men,  by  which  the  Lord  hath  in  every  age  confirm- 
ed the  same,  that  I  am  sure  the  greatest  atheist  cannot  an-- 
swer  even  these. 

1.  That  this  is  the  very  dictate  of  a  natural  conscience, 
not  only  that  God  is,  but  that  he  is  a  rewarder  of  such  as 


190  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

serve  him :  yea,  none  amongst  men  are  so  gross,  or  brutish, 
who  are  not  in  some  measure  principled  to  difference  be- 
twixt good  and  evil,  with  some  fear  of  a  punishment  to  the 
one,  and  some  hope  of  recompense  to  the  other  ;  and  are 
also  forced  to  notice  some  more  signal  and  convincing  ex- 
amples, which  have  been  of  that  kind  in  their  time. 

2.  Must  we  not  say,  yea,  doth  not  the  world  see,  in  ev- 
ery age,  that  history  of  Joseph  in  some  part  acted  oxer 
again  %  Sure,  there  have  not  been  wanting  many  such  re- 
markable instances,  wherein  it  might  be  easy  to  trace  an 
upright  and  straight  walk  through  a  very  maze  and  laby- 
rinth of  changes,  and  to  show  how  that  hath  been  their 
condition,  and  at  last  integrity  hath  brought  them  to  land 
in  a  comfortable  harbour  ;  yea,  how  often  they  have  had  a 
marvellous,  unlooked  for  relief,  contrary  to  all  human  ap- 
pearance. This  indeed  is  no  romance  ;  but  a  most  true 
history,  which  through  all  times,  and  many  examples, 
might  be  written  of  the  word  and  providence,  which  would 
surpass  the  richest  fancy,  that  any  fiction  or  romance  did 
ever  contain. 

3.  Must  it  not  be  convincing,  even  to  the  worst  of  men, 
what  a  visible  blessing  cloth  oft  follow  the  mean  lot  of  some 
of  the  saints,  which  can  make  their  little  reach  far,  and 
cause  them  to  abound  more  in i  their  poverty,  than  others 
amidst  their  abundance  ?  Which,  I  think,  the  world  can- 
not shun  to  observe,  and  gather  that  there  is  surely  some- 
thing else  than  men's  own  care,  which  doth  their  business  : 
and  how  that  ordinary  proverb  falleth  not  to  the  ground, 
that  it  is  better  to  be  happy  than  wise,  when  they  see  a  se- 
cret judgment  blow  upon  some  men's  estate,  that  no  means 
can  prevent  ;  and  a  secret  blessing,  which  maketh  things 
prosper  and  take  effect,  accompany  the  christian's  little  : 
50  as  it  may  be  easy  for  such  who  look  abroad,  to  see  where 
real  contentment,  with  cheerfulness  and  giving  of  thanks, 
useth  to  dwell. 

4.  May  not  the  world  see,  there  is  a  feast  in  a  good  con- 
science, how  little  soever  they  partake  of  the  world  ?  that 
well  doing,  and  the  practice  of  godliness,  hath  some  present 
reward  in  its  hand  ?  Whereas  so  remarkable  a  difference 
may  be  discerned  betwixt  the  countenance  and  carriage  of 
such,  and  of  them  who  trust  in  falsehood,  that  surely  in  a 
time  of  strait,  those  have  another  kind  of  security  and  con- 
fidence, when  greatest  natural  spirits  fail  ;  yea,  that  those 
alone  can  enjoy  themselves,  have  the  most  calm  and  com- 
posed spirits,  amidst  the  several  changes  of  their  life  ;  that 
according  to  outward  things  their  peace  doth  not  ebb,  nor 
ftow,  but  they  are  at  a  seen  advantage  above  others,  in  the 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  191 

day  when  meji  are  sore  outwitted  with  their  straits.  So  as 
it  will  be  most  easy  then  to  see  the  good  and  advantage  of 
religion,  when  the  vanity  of  other  advantages  is  most  dis- 
cernible. 

5.  Is  it  not  also  seen,  that  true  honour  doth  truly  wait  on 
humility,  and  folio weth  such  ;  but  that  it  fleethfrom  them 
who  do  most  pursue  it :  >rea,  that  faithfulness  and  an  up- 
right walk  will  gain  credit  even  amongst  her  enemies,  and 
respect  before  the  world  ? 

6.  That  those  who  are  faithful  in  their  life,  and  diligent 
improvers  of  a  small  talent,  have  usually  more  added,  with 
some  discernible  growth  following  the  same  :  and  as  the 
drying  up  of  the  parts  of  some,  as  a  judgment  on  unfaith- 
fulness, is  oft  obvious,  so  also  such  a  blessing  upon  serious 
diligence,  as  hath  made  the  last  to  ht  first,  and  even  out- 
run such  who  were  once  before  them.  Yea,  it  is  truly 
seen,  how  grace  helpeth  men's  gifts,  doth  raise  and  subli- 
mate their  spirits,  aboye  that  which  once  they  were. 

7.  Doth  not  the  Lord  put  some  visible  difference  oft  be- 
twixt the  righteous  and  the  wicked  in  a  time  of  common 
calamity  ?  that  a  strange  deliverance  with  the  concurrence 
of  very  marvellous  providences,  doth  sometime  await  such, 
even  to  the  conviction  of  observers  ;  which  may  tell  the 
world,  such  have  had  an  invisible  hedge  of  preservation 
about  them,  and  have  been  under  some  better  care,  than 
their  own. 

8.  What  a  clear  witness  do  ungodly  men  oft  bear  to  this 
truth,  at  their  death,  or  at  some  other  strait,  so  that  their 
conscience  hath  forced  them  to  justify  the  godly  man's 
choice,  and  to  say,  that  the  lot  of  such  is  only  most  desir- 
able :  yea,  with  much  bitterness  to  lament  their  own  folly, 
that  made  not  religion  more  their  business,  the  good  and 
advantage  whereof  is  now  no  matter  of  debate.  Sure,  the 
world  will  confess,  how  oft  the  confession  and  testimony 
of  such  men,  to  this  truth,  hath  reached  their  car. 

9.  I  shall  but  add,  that  which  is  so  very  manifest,  how 
faithfulness  and  integrity  doth  transmit  men's  names  with 
more  honour  ;  yea,  maketh  it  have  a  sweeter  savour  in 
their  generations,  than  either  riches  or  outward  preferment : 
yea,  that  there  is  a  great  difference  betwixt  the  memorial 
of  the  righteous,  and  of  the  wicked,  even  to  the  conviction 
of  the  world. 

EIGHTH.  That  verily  there  is  a  God  who  judgeth  in  the 
earth,  Ps.  lviii.  11.  who  doth  render  unto  men  vengeance, 
and  doth  pursue  the  transgressor,  because  of  sin,  is  a  truth, 
which  the  world  hath  in  every  age  by  many  convincing  in- 
stances held  forth  to  them,  where  they  may  see  the  scrip. 
ture  clearly  verified. 


192 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 


I  have  a  little  touched  this  in  the  second  argument  how 
the  accomplishing  of  scripture  threatenings  is  witnessed  to 
the  observation  of  the  church,  and  to  those  who  are  wise  to 
discern  the  times,  t  wherein  they  live.  I  shall  here  point  at 
this  truth,  as  it  is  in  the  providence  of  God,  written  in  such 
great  letters,  as  are  obvious  to  the  view  of  the  world,  so  as 
most  common  observers  cannot  pass  this  without  a  remark. 
It  is  true,  much  may  be  laid  over  to  that  great  general  as- 
size of  the  last  judgment,  that  day  of  retribution  ;  yea, 
sometimes  we  see  the  most  wicked  and  vile  go  in  peace  to 
the  grave ;  the  sovereignty  of  God  doth  also  appear  very 
observably  in  the  different  measure  and  kind  of  punish- 
ment ;  and  it  is  too  evident,  how  prone  men  are  to  look 
more  to  the  interest  that  second  causes  have  in  such  a 
thing,  than  to  a  divine  hand  :  but  this  is  also  sure,  that  the 
Lord  is  known  on  the  earth  by  the  judgments  which  he  exe- 
cuteth,  and  in  every  age  doth  set  up  such  convincing  exam- 
ples before  men,  that  the  greatest  atheist  may  see,  yea,  oft 
their  conscience  must  break  the  jail,  restrain  it  as  they 
will,  and  force  this  acknowledgment,  that  such  judgments 
can  be  no  casual  thing  ;  while  something  of  a  power  higher 
than  man,  and  a  clear  verifying  of  the  word,  are  so  discern- 
ible therein. 

Now  to  demonstrate  this  truth,  I  would  offer  some  things 
which  may  shew  how  very  near  this  cometh  to  the  obser- 
vation of  men,  so  as  none  can  be  a  stranger  thereto,  or  want 
conviction  of  this  piece  of  the  truth  of  God,  except  they 
willingly  shut  their  eyes,  while  it  is  clear. 

1.  That  the  very  heathens,  who  never  knew  the  scrip- 
ture, nor  a  written  law,  have  yet  so  much  of  a  natural  con- 
science, that  not  only  they  can  put  some  difference  between 
virtue  and  vice,  but  even  in  some  measure  can  discern 
God \?  putting  some  difference  betwixt  the  same,  and  how 
flagitious  crimes  use  to  be  punished  by  a  divine  hand.  We 
may  say,  time  could  never  yet  wear  out  the  observation  of 
this  truth,  through  the  world:  and  though  many  things 
may  be  received  and  credited,  which  not  having  a  sure 
ground  xio  quickly  vanish,  (it  being  truth's  privilege  still  to 
outlive  falsehood)  yet  it  is  sure,  how  in  the  darkest  parts  of 
the  earth,  this  hath  been  still  noticed  with  a  special  remark, 
and  transmitted  from  one  age  to  another ;  yea,  the  records 
of  the  nations,  even  by  heathen  writers,  shew  what  remark- 
able punishment  hath  followed  cruel  oppression,  covenant 
breaking,  and  such  other  gross  sins,  against  the  second  ta- 
ble ;  yea,  how  these  have  been  the  usual  forerunners  of 
great  strokes  on  kingdoms  and  famill 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  193 

2.  Doth  not  the  world  see,  that  in  those  remarkable 
judgments,  which  have  come  on  a  nation  and  people,  there 
is  something  higher  than  instruments,  or  second  causes, 
which  may  be  very  evident  in  bringing  the  same  about  :[s6 
that  all  who  go  by,  must  confess,  such  is  no  casual  occur- 
rence, nor  doth  arise  out  of  the  dust,  but  that  surely  a  divine 
hand  is  there  ?  And  truly,  though  some  desolating  strokes 
are  very  terrible  in  themselves,  and  blood  and  ruins  should 
be  no  matter  of  pleasure ;  yet,  whereas  thereby  that  state- 
ly sound  is  heard,  even  his  voice  who  maketh  the  earth  to 
tremble,  and  God  is  made  known  to  the  sons  of  men,  we 
should  not  only  with  fear,  but  even  some  holy  congratula- 
tion consider  his  work.  Now  to  clear  what  a  convincing 
witness  these  are  to  this  truth,  I  shall  point  at  some  very 
obvious  remarks,  which  I  am  sure  the  world  cannot  con- 
tradict, of  the  Lord's  own  immediate  hand  in  such  judg- 
ments. (1.)  That  strange  concurrence  of  providences, 
which  useth  to  appear  when  God  is  against  a  people  ;  how 
all  things  will  then  conspire,  as  a  fatal  conjunction,  to  work 
their  wo  and  ruin,  that  men  may  see,  surely  ibis  is  from 
the  Lord,  who  is  wonderful  in^  counsel,  and  from  a  hand 
against  which  there  is  no  striving.  (2.)  How  such  re- 
markable strokes  are  seen  to  fall  in  with  some  great  and  re- 
markable height  of  sin  in  such  a  nation  and  people  ;  so  that 
it  is  easy  then  for  all  lookers  on  to  confess  the  righteousness 
of  God  thereon.  (3.)  When  judgment  is  coming  on  a 
land,  it  may  appear  how  instruments  are  raised,  and  in  a 
more  than  ordinary  way  acred  with  all  advantages  for  such 
a  piece  of  service.  (4.)  There  is  a  visible  blasting  then 
both  of  counsel  and  strength,  and  those  means  which  other- 
wise looked  most  probable ;  how  remarkably  such  are 
confounded,  even  in  the  use  of  their  ordinary  abilities, 
and  their  heart  and  usual  courage  taken  from  them, 
while  the  Lord  is  on  a  work  of  judgment.  (5.)  That 
astonishing  success,  which  is  usually  seen  to  fol- 
low those  whom  the  Lord  sendeth  forth  to  execute  his 
judgment ;  how  then  they  move  swiftly,  and  with  vigour ; 
they  do  not  stumble,  or  weary ;  it  is  neither  rivers  nor 
walled  cities  can  stand  in  their  way  ;  mountains  are  made 
vallies,  to  shew  it  is  the  Lord,  whose  hand  in  that  day  is 
strong  upon  them,  to  strengthen  their  loins,  and  pake  the 
sword  and  axe  sharp  for  his  service.  (6.)  Amidst  these 
various  strokes  which  come  on  a  land,  can  men  pass  that 
of  the  pestilence  without  some  special  note  ?  where  God's 
i immediate  hand,  something  supernatural,  above  ordinary 
qx  natural  causes,  may  be  clearly  seen,  in  its  strange  prog- 
ress and  spreading,  which  like  lightning  doth  oft  go  through 

A  A 


1 9 1  7/fc  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

cities  and  countries  in  a  small  time  !  Do  not  these  tell 
aloud  to  the  world  that  they  come  notunsent,  and  without 
some  special  commission  ;  and  that  there  is  no  striving 
against  them,  nor  are  ordinary  means  effectual  in  some 
such  extraordinary  plagues,  until  he  who  brought  it  on,  do 
also  by  his  own  hand  take  it  off. 

3.  Very^  obvious  even^  to  the  world  is  that  clear  resem- 
blance, which  is  oft  betwixt  sin,  and  the  stroke  :  how  ho- 
ly justice  doth  keep  a  proportion,  and  doth  shape  out  the 
judgment  so  exactly,  both  in  measure  and  kind,  that  it 
may  be  easy  to  see  the  stroke  ^ pointing  (as  with  an  hand)  to 
the  cause,  by  its  discernible  likeness  ;  and  both  at  the  right- 
eous judgment  of  God,  which  thus  measure  out  to  men, 
as  they  have  dealt  with  others.  We  see  how  the  Lord 
judged  Agag,  and  Adonibezeck ;  how  Sodom's  burning 
lust  was  punished  with  fire  from  heaven  :  yea,  what  even 
David  had  measured  out  for  his  murder  and  adultery ;  for 
the  one,  the  sword  shall  not  depart  from  his  house,  and  for 
the  other,  his  wives  by  his  own  son  abused.  And  truly  ev- 
ery age's  observation  can  witness  this  truth  from  many  con- 
vincing examples,  that  there  is  a  God  who  judgeth  in  the 
earth.  It  being  oft  seen  if  men  would  seriously  observe, 
(1.)  How  an  universal  overspreading  of  sin  in  a  land,  hath 
usually  some  national  and  universal  stroke  following. 
(2.)  That  blood  waiteth  on  bloody  men,  and  suffereth  them 
not  oft  to  live  out  half  their  clays  ;  one  oppressor  punished 
by  another  :  the  unmerciful  man  paid  home  in  his  own 
coin,  by  such  as  shall  shew  as  little  mercy  to  him,  or  his, 
(3.)  How  the  proud  and  insolent,  who  do  most  hunt  after 
outward  glory,  are  usually  punished  with  some  humbling 
abasing  stroke.  He  pour eth  contempt  on  princes  ;  and  such 
who  will  not  honour  God,  shall  not  obtain  that  honour 
they  seek  from  men.  (4.)  That  such  who  have  been  most 
given  up  to  uncleanness,  are  oft  seen  not  to  increase  as  to 
their  posterity «  but  their  issue  observably  made  to  fail  ; 
yea,  by  a  divine  hand  rooted  out :  sure  many  such 
signal  examples  might  be  instanced.  (50  How  such  who 
have  chosen  sin,  to  shun  trouble  and  suffering,  have  in  their 
sinful  way  got  as  large  a  measure  thereof,  as  that  man,  who 
in  Q.  Mary's  time  said,  he  could  not  burn  for  the  truth, 
and  therefore  forsook  it,  by  an  unseen  hand,  had  both  him- 
self and  his  house  in  one  night  burnt.  (6.\  That  the 
treacherous  and  deceitful  men  are  thus  dealt  with  by  oth- 
ers, yea,  children  who  have  been  undutiful 'to  their  parents, 
have  from  theirs  met  with  the  same  recompense. 
(7.)  That  whilst  men,  to  make  a  purchase,  have  even  de- 
nied themselves  the  necessary  u*e  of  outward  things,  they 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture,  195- 

are  oft  seen  to  leave  their  estate  to  such,  who  do  quickly 
waste  and  scatter  the  same  ;  and  thus  the  sinful  parsimo- 
ny of  parents  is  punished  with  the  prodigality  of  those  who 
succeed  them.  (8.)  That  the  frequent  use  of  some  dread- 
ful imprecations  is  oft  punished  by  the  Lord  with  a  suitable 
stroke,  to  the  conviction  both  of  themselves  and  observers. 
(9.)  How  such  as  have  joined  together,  and  united  them- 
selves against  the  truth,  have  been  visibly  broken  as  to  their 
own  private  interest :  and  truly  we  must  say,  there  is  oft 
such  a  conjunction  of  very  convincing  circumstances,  in 
some  acts  of  the  judgment  of  God,  with  such  a  resemblance 
to  the  sin,  yea,  judgment  sometimes  pursuing  men  in  the 
very  place,  where  the  sin  hath  been  acted,  that  it  may  be 
easy  for  all  who  go  by,  to  say,  there  is  indeed  a  God  who 
judgeth  in  the  earth. 

4.  Doth  it  not  appear,  how  very  convincing  and  obvious 
this  truth  is  even  to  the  world,  from  those  ordinary  remarks 
and  proverbial  sayings,  which  we  find  in  all  ages  and  in  ev- 
ery part  of  the  earth,  even  the  most  rude  and  ignorant  have 
had,  of  the  judgment  of  God.  For  truly  what  else  are  these 
but  an  express  witness,  how  universally  this  truth  is 
known,  and  received  by  men,  how  much  the  world  is  con- 
vinced thereof,  through  a  long  tract  of  observation,  from 
the  fathers  to  the  -children  :  yea,  thence  they  have  had  a 
divinity  of  their  own,  drawn  out  thereof ;  how  such  sins 
do  not  use  to  pass  without  some  exemplary  punishment. 
Now  I  would  but  name  some  few  of  these  remarks,  that 
have  been  most  usual  in  all  times.  (1.)  How  some  fami- 
lies have  not  thriven,  but  a  secret  judgment  hath  been  dis- 
cernible thereon,  since  they  had  hand  in  some  gross  acts  of 
wickedness,  such  as  bloodshed  ;  their  former  prosperity 
from  such  a  day  visibly  declining.  (2.)  How  that  an  evil 
purchase  useth  not  to  be  of  long  continuance,  but  their  es- 
tate oft  in  a  very  strange  and  insensible  way  made  to  van- 
ish, which  their  children  though  frugal,  can  by  no  means 
keep  up  :  and  the  cause  hereof  men  do  easily  point  at,  it 
was  purchased  by  fraud,  transmitted  with  a  curse  cleaving 
thereto,  and  so  there  was  no  warding  off  the  judgment  oi 
God.  (3.)  Such  who  do  not  much  consider  God's  con- 
troversy, yet  are  oft  forced  to  remark,  that  since  some  have 
meddled  or  matched  with  such  an  house,  they  have  sadly- 
smarted  thereby,  something  of  a  curse  even  following  the 
racemd  posterity  of  some.  (4.)  How  sacrileg ions  med- 
dling with  that  which  hath  been  for  a  pious  and  public  use, 
hath  caused  a  visible  waste  and  consumption  in  their  own 
estate.  (5.)  That  men's  asking  counsel  from  the  devil, 
and  turning  to  that  quarter  for  their  help,  doth  usually  re 


196  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

solve  in  a  sad  and  tragic  close  ;  and  truly  this,  many  in 
the  shutting  up  of  their  life  have  been  forced  to  confess, 
(6.)  That  falsehood  doth  not  use  to  keep  its  feet,  nor  a  wick- 
ed way  long  prosper,  whatever  it  seem  to  at  the  first  view ; 
yea,  I  may  add,  as  one  of  the  world's  remarks,  which  they 
cannot  well  shun,  that  which  seemeth  was  an  ordinary  say- 
ing in  the  time  of  Esther,  that  it  is  not  safe  troubling  the 
church,  or  for  men  to  state  themselves  in  opposition  to  that 
party ;  and  I  dare  not  question,  but  this  shall  be  yet  as  con- 
vincing and  obvious  to  the  world,  as  it  hath  been  in  any 
former  ages. 

5.  Is  not  the  appearance  of  a  divine  hand  oft  very  obvi- 
ous to  the  world  in  the  discovery  of  sin,  and  bringing  to 
light  some  gross  acts  ofwickedness,  even  in  an  extraordinary 
way?  while  it  is  seen,  (1.)  By  what  strange  unexpected 
vieans  these  have  been  brought  forth  ;  such  an  astonishing 
affliction,  and  concurrence  of  things  therein,  as  hath  forced 
not  only  lookers  on  to  some  special  remark,  but 
hath  even  struck  the  ^  guilty  party  through  the  heart 
with  wonder,  and  conviction  of  the  same.  (2.)  How  the 
hand  of  justice  pursuing  men  for  some  notorious,  and  pub- 
lic crime,  doth  oft  bring  to  light  some  that  have  been  most 
secret,  which  f hey  thought  the  world  could  never  reach  : 
yea,  it  may  be  frequently  seen  while  men  have  been  in  one 
sin  found  out,  it  hath  also  brought  forth  the  discovery  of 
some  other,  and  forced  them  to  confess,  that  it  was  a  right - 
eousjudgment  pursuing  them  for  the  same.  It  is  a  thing 
also  known,  yea,  by  many  undeniable  instances  witnessed, 
that  marvellous  discovery  of  concealed  murder,  by  the 
bleeding  of  the  body  upon  the  touch  of  the  murderer.  I 
confess,  it  should  be  hard  to  assert  the  lawful  and  warranta- 
ble practice  of  such  an  appeal  to  so  extraordinary  and  stu- 
pendous a  sign  from  the  Lord,  where  scripture  goeth  not 
clearly  before  us  :  but  on  the  other  hand,  such  a  thing  so 
surely  tried  for  such  an  end,  and  in  the  case  where  all  ordi- 
nary means  of  discovery  have  been  wanting,  I  think,  calleth 
usto  a  serious  remark  thereof,  while  it  so  visibly  seemeth 
to  witness  his  hand,  who  doth  make  inquisition  for  blood. 

6.  Is  not  the  dreadful  consternation,  those  tormenting 
fears,  which  men  after  some  grqss  acts  of  wickedness  do 

bewray,  a  very  obvious  witness  to  this  truth,  that  there  is 
a  God  who  judgeth  on  the  earth,  in  whose  hands  it  is  a  terri- 
ble thing  to  fall,  and  sheweth,  how^  great  a  punishment 
wickedness  is  to  itself?  Truly  if  atheists  turn  not  brutish 
and  stupid,  they  must  notice  this,  and  confess  a  thing 
which  doth  so  oft  reach  their  ears,  what  have  been  the 
horrid  cries  of  many  dying  men,  who  have  most  sported 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  197 

with  sin  in  their  life ;  that  may  tell  standers  by,  there  is  a 
Judge  who  can  stretch  forth  his  hand  on  the  soul  and  con- 
science,  whereto  no  rack  or  outward  torment  is  any  way 
comparable. 

7.  I  would  further  add ;  those  extraordinary  signs  and 
prodigies,  which  do  usually  go  before  some  stroke  and 
judgment  on  a  land,  do  they  not  clearly  point  at  a  divine 
hand'm  the  same  ?  For  as  these  are  a  solemn  forewarning: 
from  heaven,  to  give  men  an  alarm,  before  remarkable 
changes,  the  truth  whereof  the  world  cannot  deny  ;  so  we 
must  say,  they  are  a  convincing  testimony,  that  these  judg- 
ments are  no  casual  things,  which  the  atheist  cannot  an- 
swer; it  being  so  clear,  (1.)  That  such  signs  and  prodi- 
gies have  been  in  every  age  visible  to  the  world's  experi- 
ence, and  the  gravest  histories  both  of  ancient  and  latter 
times,  do  fully  witness.  (2.)  That  such  things  should  al- 
so be  previous  to  great  revolutions  in  the  world,  we  know 
the  scripture  is  most  express,  Joel  ii.  30.  Luke  xxi.  11. 
And  as  we  should  guard  against  any  superstitious  respect } 
we  should  also  beware  of  stupid  atheistical  inadvertency  at 
these  strange  works  of  the  Lord,  which  call  both  for  fear 
and  observation.  (3.)  That  such  have  been  usually  pre- 
vious to  great  calamities  and  judgments  on  a  people,  is  a 
thing  that  all  ages  must  witness ;  even  those,  who  have 
been  most  cautious  and  discerning  in  their  time,  who  could 
not  shun  this  as  a  remark.  Herodotus  doth  set  that  down 
as  a  thing  most  sure,  in  his  sixth  book.  Cum  Dcus  puni- 
turns  est  gentem  et  urban,  prodigiis,  id  solet  significarc. 
And  Lucan  could  tell  what  went  before  the  Roman's  civil 

wars, Superique  m'maces prodigiis  terras  implerunt. 

Yea,  it  can  hardly  be  instanced  any  great  change  or  revolu- 
tion in  the  earth,  which  hath  not  had  some  such  extraordi- 
nary herald  going  before.  (4  )  Can  the  world  deny  how 
sometimes  these  prodigious  signs  have  been  shaped  out  to 
point  at  the  very  nature  of  the  stroke  then  imminent  by  a 
strange  resemblance  to  the  same  ;  such  as  a  flaming  sword 
in  the  air,  the  appearance  of  armies  fighting  even  sometimes 
upon  the  earth,  to  the  view  of  many,  most  sober  and  judi- 
cious spectators,  also  showers  of  blood,  the  noise  of  drums, 
and  such  like,  which  are  known  usually  to  go  before  wars 
and  commotions. 

NINTH.  That  there  are  evil  spirits,  fEph.  vi.  12. 
Rev.  xx.  2,  3.)  and  a  diabolical  power,  such  as  the  scrip- 
ture hath  held  forth,  vohose  constant  work  is  the  ruin  andun- 
doing  of  man,  is  a  truth,  not  only  witnessed  from  that  ex- 
perience christians  have  of  their  assault,  but  is  undeniable 


1 S3  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

by  the  world,  and  greatest  atheists,  except  they  deny  the 
discovery  of  sense,  as  well  as  reason. 

I  confess,  it  may  cause  fear  and  astonishment,  to  think 
on  this,  that  spirits  so  knowing  and  once  originally  excel- 
lent,  have  fallen  thus  into  such  an  height  of  indignation 
against  infinite  goodness,  that  it  is  now  their  only  aim  and 
pleasure,  to  dishonour  God,  and  destroy  his  image  in  man. 
It  should  indeed  cause  us  to  fear  him,  that  spared  not  the 
angels  who  sinned.  But  the' truth  itself  is  sure,  that  such  a 
party  is  at  this  day  encompassing  the  earth,  and  trafficking 
up  and  down  there  :  to  prove  which  by  arguments,  were 
to  light  a  candle  to  let  men  see  that  it  is  day,  while  it  is 
known  what  ordinary  familiar  converse  many  have  there- 
with, and  alas  too  easy  to  discern  that  power,  which  the 
prince  of  this  world  hath  upon  the  children  of  disobedience. 
How  obvious  are  the  marks  of  his  conquest  almost  every 
where  ;  thousands  lying  in  his  chains  !  How  far  do  we  see 
many  transformed  into  the  very  image  of  the  devil  ;  which 
in  those  desperate  prodigious  acts  of  wickedness  that  are 
oft  in  the  world,  may  appear ;  such,  whereat  we  should 
think  human  nature,  though  corrupt,  could  not  but  trem- 
ble, yea,  look  on  with  horror !  how  many  in  all  ages  have 
even  been  in  an  express  covenant  with  them  ?  and  is  not 
there  a  great  part  of  the  earth,  where  the  devil  is  visibly 
and  audibly  known,  where  he  hatha  kind  of  neighbourhood 
with  men  ?  But  there  being  no  need  for  such  a  demonstra- 
tion, I  only  here  aim  to  hold  forth  what  an  interesting  truth 
this  is,  and  of  great  consequence,  if  seriously  considered  ; 
yea,  how  both  the  scripture  and  christian  religion,  is  here- 
by evidently  confirmed  since  these  things  must  necessarily 
follow. 

1.  That  in  this  the  scripture  is  truly  fulfilled,  which  doth 
witness  what  these  spirits  are,  adversaries  to  man  ;  in 
their  nature  and  inclination  desperately  evil ;  whose  act- 
ings in  the  earth  have  a  visible  tendency  to  men's  hurt  and 
ruin ;  yea,  their  pretended  favours  always  directed  t©  that 
end  ;  whence  we  see  such  a  natural  inbred  horror,  which 
is  in  man  against  them. 

2.  That  it  is  no  common  thing,  winch  they  so  much  pur- 
sue ;  something  more  precious  than  the  body,  for  which 
*o  great  and  cruel  an  adversary  is  in  continual  labour  ;  for 
their  actings  have  no  such  tendency  to  ruin  men's  estate  in 
the  world  :  no,  it  is  most  evident,  this  is  the  soul,  the  im- 
mortal soul,  to  undo  them  in  that  great  interest,  is  the 
mark,  whereat  they  level ;  that  poor  man  might  be  sharer 
of  that  misery,  under  which  they  are  concluded. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  193 

3.  Is  it  not  an  undeniable  consequence  of  this  truth,  that 
there  must  be  an  invisible  world,  that  hath  inhabitants  of 
another  kind  than  such  as  are  here ;  that  sure  there  is  some 
being  above  man  ;  yea,  a  real  correspondence  betwixt 
men  and  spirits  ?  And  should  not  man,  thus  placed  in  a 
middle  estate  betwixt  the  angels  and  the  beasts  here  be- 
low, partaking  in  his  body  with  the  one,  but  in  his  reason- 
able soul  with  the  other,  thence  raise  himself  to  thoughts 
of  some  more  excellent  condition,  for  which  he  is  framed, 
than  a  sensual  life  ;  and  that  surely  the  soul  hath  an  inter- 
est in  another  world,  which  he  should  most  look  after  ? 

4.  Must  not  this  also  be  sure,  that  there  is  an  invisible 
guard ;  and  these  desperate  spirits  are  under  restraint,  by 
a  power  stronger  than  they,  which  can  bound  their  malice  ? 
For,  this  may  be  certain,  that  these  who  have  so  great  en- 
mity to  man  who  are  so  near,  and  have  such  advantages 
over  us,  could  not  keep  at  such  a  distance,  but  that  they 
are  kept  in  chains  by  a  higher  power. 

^  5.  How  is  it  that  now  by  the  gospel,  and  within  this  pre- 
cinct of  the  church,  Satan's  power  is  so  much  restrained, 
in  respect  of 'former  times  ;  while  it  is  known,  what  a  fa- 
miliar converse  they  had  with  men,  did  even  haunt  their 
houses,  and  were  so  public  in  their  appearance  under  such 
names  of  fairies  and  brounies,  which  since  the  breaking  out 
of  the  light  of  the  gospel  hath  not  been  ?  Yea,Jiath  not  the 
devil  to  this  day  an  open  throne^  and  dominion  in  thos« 
parts  of  the  earth,  where  Christ  is  not  worshipped  ?  It  is 
also  known,  how  the  oracles  of  old  did  cease,  and  that  pub- 
lic worship,  which  the  world  for  many  ages  had  given 
them,  with  the  very  time  of  Christ's  appearance,  and 
breaking  out  of  the  gospel ;  these  night  beasts  getting  to 
their  dens,  when  once  the  day  was  broke.  Plutarch  and 
other  heathen  writers  are  witness  to  this. 

6.  Whence  is  it  that  within  the  church,  where  Satan  is 
most  restrained,  yet  there  he  doth  more  stir,  than  in  all  the 
world  besides  ?  Doth  it  not  shew,  that  that  is  the  party 
with  which  he  is  at  t  %var  ?  Hence  doth  he  more  r^, 
the  more  clear  the  light  shineth  :  yea,  is  there  not  seen 
something,  besides  men's  natural  enmity  at  the  truth,  even 
a  fury  and  violence,  wherewith  some  are  visibly  driven, 
in  their  acting  with  such  an  unsatiable  cruelty  against  the 
followers  of  Christ,  without  the  least  shadow  of  provo- 
cation, as  holds  forth  a  lively  resemblance  of  the  devil, 
and  some  violent  pressure  and  incitement  from  that 
quarter  1 

7.  Is  it  not  sure,  that  there  is  such  a  party,  by  this,  that 
he  is  an  adversary  to  God  and  holiness :  for  which  reason 


200  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture* 

he  doth  so  impetuously  tempt  and  press  men  to  the  out- 
ward acts  dlsin  ?  Yea,  that  there  is  a  spirit  of  blasphemy, 
which  so  visibly  rageth  in  the  world,  and  acts  men  to  war 
against  heaven  with  their  tongues,  by  cursing  and  blas- 
phemous oaths,  which  hath  no  carnal  pleasure  or  gain,  but 
yet  they  cannot  forbear,  from  a  violent  incitement,  which 
may  be  seen  swaying  to  the  same. 

8.  Whence  is  it,  which  is  so  very  known  and  notorious 
that  those  horrid  wretches  who  give  themselves  to  the  devil, 
cannot  enter  in  any  formal  engagement  without  renouncing 
Christy  and  their  baptism  ?  doth  it  not  shew  that  direct  op- 
position he  stands  in  to  Christ,  yea,  to  the  very  name  and 
shadow  of  Christianity  ? 

9.  Whence  is  it  that  even  the  grossest  atheists,  upon  any 
appearance  of  the  devil,  or  apprehension  from  that  quarter, 
will  not  then  make  scorn  of  prayer,  but  turn  in  earnest  to 
that,  which  at  other  times  they  mocked  ?  O  doth  it  not 
shew,  men's  atheism  is  their  judgment ;  that  not  only 
there  is  a  dreadful  horror  and  fear,  which  by  nature  men 
have  of  these  evil  spirits,  but  some  inbred  sense  also  and 
impression  of  a  deity,  which  doth  bewray  itself,  whether 
they  will  or  not,  in  a  pressing  strait  and  extremity  ! 

TENTH.  That  there  is  such  an  enmity  betwixt  the 
seed  of  the  woman,  and  the  serpent,  as  the  scripture  hath 
held  forth,  is  very  manifest :  a  truth,  wherein  the  world 
may  see  the  scripture  clearfy  verified.  Gal.  iv.  29. 

It  is  truly  strange,  that  this  putteth  not  men  to  more  se- 
rious thoughts,  to  pursue  such  a  thing  to  its  true  rise,  what 
should  cause  such  a  violent  and  unreasonable  contrariety 
against  the  ways  and  followers  of  God  ;  for  here,  upon 
grave  reflections,  they  must  needs  see,  that  their  way  in 
this  is  a  convincing  witness  to  the  truth  of  the  scripture, 
which  might  put  them  in  some  other  humour,  yea,  help  to 
turn  this  poison  into  an  antidote  against  itself.  But  this  is 
sure  and  undeniable,  the  discovery  whereof  cannot  but 
stare  the  greatest  atheist  in  the  face,  from  these  convincing 
evidences. 

1.  That  it  is  seen,  wo  private  quarrel  which  ever  was 
among  men,  hath  been  With  such  vigour  and  malice  pur- 
sued, as  this  upon  the  account  of  religion  ;  which  hath 
still  put  the  world  more  in  a  flame,  than  any  private  inter- 
est ;  yea,  it  is  very  manifest  how  men  are  carried  with  the 
stream  of  their  own  natural  inclination,  to  oppose  the  church 
and  people  of  God. 

2.  That  thin  seed  and  enmity  could  never  be  taken  up 
through  all  ^.successions  of  lime.;  a  strife  which  is  not 
late  begun,  to  b-1  seen  only  in  one  age,  betwixt  the  children 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  201 

of  the  bondwoman,  and  of  the  free.  No,  the  most  sage 
and  wise  amongst  men,  the  greatest  peace  makers,  could 
yet  never  fall  on  a  way  to  reconcile  these  two  parties  ;  but 
the  children  have  still  served  themselves  heirs  to  the  quar- 
rel and  hatred  of  their  fathers  against  the  church. 

3.  Is  it  not  seen,  that  those  who  are  more  dinl,  and  can 
hold  a  little  up  with  the  form  of  religion,  yet  will  break  forth 
in  greatest  rage  against  the  power  thereof,  when  once  it  be- 
gins to  appear  ?  It  is  indeed  here,  that  inbred  contrariety, 
which  is  in  men  against  holiness,  doth  bewray  itself,  even 
in  those  \\  ho  are  otherwise  noted  for  a  calm  and  peaceable 
disposition,  while  once  they  begin  to  be  scorched  with  its 
heat.  • 

4.  What  strong  natural  antipathy  is  this,  which  causeth 
men  to  pursue  with  so  much  bitterness  those  from  whom 
they  never  had  any  personal  injury  ?  Sure  their  conscience 
must  oft  tell,  that  they  have  no  reason,  or  any  other  provo- 
cation, than  what  is  from  the  appearance  of  the  image  of  God 
in  such  :  but  this  is  their  nature  and  disposition,  an  enmity 
which  they  can  no  more  help,  than  they  can  change  their 
nature,  or  the  leopard  can  change  its  spots. 

5.  From  what  a  strong  inclination,  and  inward  principle, 
doth  the  world  thus  act  in  its  opposition  to  the  church  and 
followers  of  God  ?  whilst  it  is  clear,  though  these  wrere 
never  so  quiet  and  peaceable,  yet  their  enemies  are  still 
restless,  and  cannot  sleep  beside  them. 

6.  It  is  seen,  how  this  doth  separate  betwixt  nearest 
friends  and  relations :,  and  alienate  such  who  have  sometimes 
been  most  dear  to  each  other  :  no  bond  in  nature  so  strait, 
which  it  will  not  break.  It  doth  oft  set  the  husband 
against  the  wife,  and  the  parents  >  against  the  children  ; 
yea,  when  religion  once  breaks  out  in  a  corner  of  a  land, 
or  a  family,  doth  it  not  then  make  a  visible  jar,  and  put  all 
in  a  flame. 

7.  It  is  clear,  that  when  once  grace  appeareth  in  men, 
they  are  as  a  sign  and  wonder  to  a  profane  generation.  The 
world  doth  then  sensibly  change  her  countenance,  and  look- 
eth  like  a  stepmother  ;  while  on  the  other  hand  it  is  clear, 
that  professors  turning  loose,  and  running  to  an  excess  of 
riot  with  others,  will  cause  their  old  adversaries  to  be  warm 
towards  them  ;  and  alas,  proveth  the  surest  way  to  gain 
men's  friendship,  while  the  world  thinks,  they  are  their 
own,  when  once  they  turn  profane. 

ELEVENTH.  That  the  creature  is  made  subject  to 
vanity,  because  of  sin  :  which  not  only  the  wisest  of  men, 
but  the  Spirit  of  God,  doth  witness,  that  things  here  be- 
neath the  sun,  are  indeed  vanity  and  vexation  of  spirit^ 

B  B 


202  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

(Rom.  viii.  20.  Eccl.il  11.)  is  a  piece  of  the  scripture,  in 
such  great  letters  written  forth  to  the  view  of  men,  that 
none  can  be  strangers  thereto. 

It  is  true,  the  cause  and  solid  remedy  of  this  so  general 
a  complaint,  are  only  reached  by  the  godly  man  ;  who 
knoweth  how  to  read  the  vanity  of  the  creature,  as  a  piece 
of  the  fulfilling  of  the  word,  and  doth  seriously  consider 
things  as  they  are,  and  not  as  they  appear  .•'_  But  it  is  also 
sure,  that  in  every  age  through  the  various  change*  pf 
man's  life  this  is  so  clearly  witnessed,  that  the  most  gross 
and  brutish  cannot  shift  the  conviction  thereof:  but  in 
one  of  these  two  times  have  been  forcgd  to  a  public  ac- 
knowledging of  the  same  ;  at  death,  when  they  are  leaving 
tiie  world,  or  in  a  day  of  strait,  when  the  world  is  leaving 
them.  How  to  demonstrate  this,  I  shall  here  but  offer 
these  few  queries. 

1.  Have  not  the  greatest  instances  of  the  glory  of  the 
World \  been  usually  the  greatest  examples  of  its  vanity, 
and  change?  How  few  hath  ambition  raised,  but  it  hath 
also  ruined  ;  yea,  given  the  sorest  fall  to  those  it  had  lifted 
most  high?  What  sudden  changes  do  attend  great  men, 
and  high  places  ;  which  those  who  sit  low,  do  escape  ? 
Sure,  if  the  tragedies  of  princes,  and  such  who  in  their  con- 
dition have  been  raised  above  others,  were  put  by  them- 
selves in  record,  it  would  make  a  great  volume,  and  shew 
how  their  glory  and  prosperous  estate  did  only  make  their 
fall  the  more  observable. 

2.  Is  it  not  obvious,  what  a  frail  dying  disposition  is  in 
ail  worldly  things  ;  that  even  the  greatest  kingdoms  and 
politic  bodies,  to  maintain  which  neither  policy  nor  strength 
was  wanting,  yet  like  natural  bodies  of  men  had  their  in- 
evitable periods,  their  youth  and  nourishing  times,  their 
declining  and  old  age,  and  at  last  been  brought  to  their 
grave  ?  Hath  not  the  glory  of  greatest  empires  and  mon- 
archies sunk  in  the  dust  ?  yea,  scarce  a  heap  of  stones  left 
this  day,  to  tell  us  where  once  famous  cities  have  stood, 
Nunc  Scges  est  ubi  Trojafuit ;  the  ruins  whereof,  and  such 
excellent  pieces  of  the  world,  doth  clearly  shew  that  cer- 
tain dissolution  of  trie  whole  fabric  at  last. 

3.  What  a  sm#U  distance  we  may  see  betwixt  extremi- 
ties in  outward  things,  even  greatest  plenty  and  poverty, 
the  highest  place  and  a  low  condition  !  So  that  the  morn- 
ing hath  seen  some  happy  and  flourishing  in  the  world, 
ivhoiu  the  evening  hat.',  seen  miserable  ;  and  in  a  most 
.short  time,  such  who  have  been  objects  of  envy  and  ad- 
miration, made  the  object  of  men's  contempt  and  pity  ; 
\  ea,  have  so  suddenly  disappeared!  have  sunk  into  so  little 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  203 

bounds,  that  men  have  Leen  put  narrowly  to  consider  them, 
and  with  admiration  ask,  Are  these  they^  who  were  once  a 
terror  in  the  land  of  the  living  !  And  their  place  hath  not 
been  found,  who  a  few  days  before  seemed  to  place  them- 
selves  alone  in  the  midst  of  the  earth  ? 

4.  What  else  is  it  but  the  v ery  present  moment  of  time, 
that  maketh  such  a  difference  betwixt  the  r*VZ>and  poor  < 
since  as  to  what  is  passed,  and  the  former  time,  men's  hap- 
piness and  misery  may  be  reckoned  as  though  it  hath  never 
been.  Nam  quicquid  ret roes t,  mors  tenet.  And  who  but 
a  fool  would  boast  of  that  which  is  to  come,  a  thing  so  un- 
certain ?  This  only  is  sure,  that  a  few  days  will  make  all 
conditions  equal,^'hen  the  bones  of  the  rich,  and  the  dust 
of  greatest  prince?,  will  not  be  discernible  from  those  of 
the  poor  man. 

5.  Is  there  any  tiling  so  pleasant,  which  hath  not  a  worm 
at  the  root  thereof,  a  moth  which  naturally  breeds  in  the 
most  satisfying  enjoyments,  that  quickly  eats  out  the  heart 
thereof,  and  blasts  their  hope  before  the  harvest  ?  How  off 
is  greatest  iopging,  in  the  pursuit  of  things,  turned  to  loath- 
ing and  weariness,  when  obtained  ?  because  it  is  not  the  na- 
ture of  the  thing,  so  much  as  an  humour,  and  the  novelty 
thereof,  that  maketh  them  pleasant.  Hence  many  sensual 
men  have  turned  monastic,  and  greatest  monarchs  become 
melancholy  ;  yea,  how  usual  is  it  for  many  to  survive  their 
pleasures,  and  bury  their  joy  and  delights  in  the  world, 
even  before  themselves  ;  while  nothing  remains  of  all  their 
fonder  enjoyments,  but  some  sad  sighs  and  groans  with  a 
heavy  farewell. 

6.  Is  it  not  found  that  riches,  and  abundance  of  the  earth 
doth  lead  more  than  it  fills,  and  men's  wealth  only  further 
heightens  their  wants  ?  How  very  poor  are  some  amidst 
their  fulness  ;  more  than  those  who  earn  tl^eir  bread  with 
sore  labour  ;  whom  the  world  doth  wholly  possess,  while 
they  do  not  all  possess  it,  neither  is  it  in  their  power  to 
make  use  of  that  they  have.  Yea,  are  they  not  sick  and 
die  in  princes'  courts,  as  well  as  in  the  meanest  cottage, 
and  the  complaints  of  the  great  and  rich  usually  more  than 
those  of  the  poor  ?  Sure  it  is  known,  that  the  great  man 
cloth  oftener  want  a  stomach  and  rest,  than  the  poor  want 
meat  and  a  bed  to  lie  in. 

7.  In  what  an  endless  circle  do  voluptuous  men  move, 
from  one  thing  to  another  ;  in  a  perpetual  search  after 
other  enjoyments,  to  satisfy  their  spirits  ?  It  slieiveth  what 
a  great  want  is  there,  which  still  calls  for  variety  of  -'things. 
and  some  fresh  supply,  to  take  off  the  weariness  of  one 
pleasure  by  another  :  else  the  delight  they  have  therein. 


204  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

would  quickly  languish  and  wear  out.  Yea,  is  it  not  still 
found,  that  the  best  of  outward  things  are  not,  on  a  near 
approach,  what  they  seemed  to  be  at  a  distance  ?  the  eye 
not  satisfied  with  seeing,  nor  the  ear  with  hearing  !  but  the 
more  they  are  pressed,  the  less  they  yield.  Neither  do 
they  enjoy  such  things  with  most  satisfaction,  who  take  a 
full  draught,  who  wallow  and  steep  themselves  in  their  en- 
joyments ;  being  more  in  expectation,  than  in  possession  : 
so  that  sometime  men's  attaining  their  desire  hath  caused 
their  delight,  and  pleasure  in  these  things  to  cease. 

8.  It  is  also  clear,  that  outward  things  are  incident  to  the 
worst,  without  making  them  the  better  ;  and  separable  from 
the  best,  without  making  them  the  woilk  ;  and  what  can 
silver,  or  gold  suit  an  immortal  soul,  or  answer  such  a  ca- 
pacity, more  than  virtue  and  godliness  could  answer  to  fill 
an  em  pty  chest  or  glass  bottle  ? 

9.  How  rare  is  it  for  men  to  get  their  lot  in  the  world 
brought  up  to  their  desire  ?  but  are  still  at  some  jar  with 
their  present  condition ;  so  that  oft  there  needs  no  more 
to  turn  men  discontented,  but  the  thought  of  some  lot, 
which  they  apprehend  more  satisfying  than  their  own  ;  the 
want  whereof  makes  them  more  disquieted  than  all  their 
enjoyments  are  pleasing.  Yea,  it  is  also  evident,  many 
men's  labour  and  disquiet  doth  increase  with  their  wealth, 
and  turns  the  flame  more- violent ;  and  that  even  in  the  con- 
dition of  the  poor  there  is  something  the  great  man  is  made 
to  envy,  while  the  poor  may  find  cause  oft  times  to  pity  and 
compassionate  some  great  men  in  the  midst  of  their  pros- 
perous estate. 

10.  What  is  the  enjoying  of  the  best  of  the  earth,  but 
its  very  passing  away,  while  it  perished)  in  the  present 
use  ?  And  what !  are  not  men  going  through  the  world, 
and  leaving  it  behind  them,  in  the  midst  of  their  most  sat- 
isfying enjoyments  ?  Is  not  the  excellency  of  most  outward 
things,  only  according  to  opinion,  or  the  institution  of 
men,  while  they  have  but  small  intrinsic  worth  from  their 
own  quality  ?  In  some  parts  of  the  earth,  whiteness  is 
reckoned  deformity,  and  the  blackest  colour  the  greatest 
beauty,  and  therefore  they  paint  the  devil  white.  What  a 
poor  smoke  is  swelling  titles  of  honour,  if  soberly  weighed  ? 
while  the  proud  man's  happiness  doth  some  way  hang 
upon  the  poor  who  go  by,  which  they  must  beg  from 
others  with  the  greatest  artifice  :  And  would  the^  choicest 
jewels,  or  a  bag  of  gold  laid  upon  the  hearc  of  a  dying  man, 
any  way  quiet  his  spirit,  or  ease  his  pain  ?  Surely  this  is 
vanity. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  205 

11.  Is  it  not  oft  seen  amidst  the  various  changes  of  the 
earth,  prince^  and  geat  men  walking  en  foot,  and  servants 
riding  on  horseback;  the  children  ^  oft  put  to  ask  an  alms, 
from  such  who  have  served  their  fathers  ?  fools  loaded 
with  wealth,  and  great  style,  while  men  of  the  choicest 
spirit  are  buried  under  contempt  and  poverty  ?  yea,  do 
we  not  see  how  quickly  men  are  cried  up,  and  down  in 
the  world  ?  That  which  in  one  age  is  raised,  is  oft  razed 
in  another  ;  yea,  many  at  much  labour  to  undo  that  which 
others  have  done  with  greatest  care  and  expense  ?  what  a 
;sore  vanity  is  this  ! 

12.  Will  not  the  want  of  a  very  small  thing  oft  imbitter 
the  pleasantest  lot,  and  turn  it  into  wormwood,  and  gall  ? 
The  smallest  touch  of  pain,  the  gravel,  or  tooth  ache,  yea, 
£ven  some  melancholy  thought,  will  make  men  disrelish 
all  their  present  enjoyments.  What  torment  doth  a  small 
ruffle  and  affront  oft  prove  to  the  proud  man,  even  in  the 
midst  of  his  glory  ?  Is  it  not  also  found,  how  carnal  mirth 
and  joy  of  men  wallowing  in  the  delights  of  the  world,  hath 
Still  in  the  close  a  bitter  sting  and  harsh  reflection,  which 
as  the  shadow  attends  the  body,  is  the  native  and  insepara- 
ble consequent  thereof.  And  surely  that  may  be  easy  to 
discern,  there  is  no  condition,  which  can  want  a  cross, 
or  some  mixture  of  discontent,  even  where  there  is  least 
seen  cause. 

I  would  add,  which  cannot  want  a  remark  in  every  time, 
that  while  men  seem  to  be  at  the  top,  and  furthest  period 
of  their  thoughts  and  projects,  have  things  according  to 
their  desire  brought  to  some  happy  close,  they  are  oft  then 
upon  some  turn  and  change  in  their  condition,  either  by 
death  or  some  very  sad  cross,  and  eveii/Vi  that  day  their 
thoughts  have  perished.  Truly  such  as  are  wise  observers 
of  the  world,  and  of  the  course  of  things  therein,  may  oft 
see,  how  usual  an  occurrence  this  is,  that  when  there  is 
too  bright  a  sunshine  in  outward  prosperity,  if  great  sobri- 
ety and  moderation  do  not  accompany  the  same,  it  is  an 
ominous  and  fatal  presage  of  a  storm,  and  ad  summum 
quicquidvenit,  ad  exitium  prope  est. 

TWELFTH.  There  is  this  truth,  which  hath  in  all 
ages  been  clearly  witnessed,  even  to  the  conviction  of  the 
world,  that  the  end  of  the  upright  man  is  peace;  and  in- 
tegrity, whatever  rub  it  may  seem  to  have  by  the  way,  yet 
hath  a  sweet  and  comfortable  close.    Psal.  xxxvii.  37; 

This  is  an  undeniable  truth,  not  only  because  the  saints 
are  then  entering  into  perfect  peace  ;  but  it  is  also  clear, 
that  however  the  godly  man  may  have  very  sharp  assaults 
in  the  close  of  his  days,  and  some  who  have  shined  very 


206  7 he  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture* 

bright,  do  set  in  a  dark  cloud,  their  evening  full  of  sorrow 
and  bitterness,  yea,  their  reflection  on  some  sad  slip, 
which  they  have  made  by  the  way,  bearing  them  company 
even  to  the  grave  ;  yet  this  truth  is  still  verified,  yea,  may 
be  discernible  to  the  conviction  of  the  world,  that  integ- 
rity and  an  upright  walk  hath  much  peace  in  the  q\k\,  and 
doth  land  men  upon  a  comfortable  harbour  ;  as  to  which, 
I  can  appeal  to  the  world,  and  the  most  ordinary  observers, 
if  this  hath  not  been  oft  very  convincing,  and  discernible  to 
them  ;  from  many  instances  of  the  Lord's  usual  way  with 
those  who  have  been  faithful  in  their  generation,  at  their 
death  ;  from  that  testimony,  which  they  have  then  given  to 
this,  yea,  from  most  visible  signs  and  evidences  hereof, 
even  upon  their  countenance  and  carriage ;  whilst  it  is 
seen, 

1.  How  great  an  advantage  such  use  to  have  above  others, 
when  death  approacheth  ;  so  that  it  hath  not  been  Balaam'' s 
wish  alone,  to  die  the  death  of  the  righteous,  and  to  have 
his  latter  end  like  theirs,  but  the  worst  of  men  are  still  forc- 
ed to  witness  their  respect  to  the  lot  of  a  dying  christian, 
and  would  wish  a  share  thereof  when  it  comes  to  their 
turn  ;  about  which  I  may  ask  the  greatest  mockers  at  relig- 
ion and  at  the  life  of  a  godly  man,  if  they  can  possibly  shun 
this  conviction,  that  surely  such  are  at  the  best  estate,  and 
at  the  greatest  advantage,  in  their  end. 

2.  This  I  am  sure  cannot  be  hid  from  the  world,  that 
abundant  peace  the  saints  do  then  testify  in  their  choice  ; 
what  a  present  unspeakable  complacency  they  have  with 
this,  that  they  valued  Christ  above  all  other  advantages, 
did  choose  affliction  rather  than  sin  ;  and  now  while  they 
are  turning  their  face  to  the  wall,  find  the  witness  of  a  good 
conscience,  and  in  God's  approbation  so  sweet  a  feast,  that 
their  joy  and  peace  on  this  account,  they  cannot  smother  or 
keep  in,  but  declare  to  all  who  stand  by,  what  they  find. 
And  truly  it  hath  been  oft  seen,  how  the  inward  joy  which 
some  of  these  have  had,  hath  exceeded  their  outward  pain, 
been  more  sensible  to  them  than  their  sickness  ;  yea,  they 
have  been  in  leaving  the  world  much  more  cheerful  than 
those  whom  they  left  behind. 

3.  It  is  also  known,  and  may  be  very  obvious  to  stand - 
ers  by,  how  with  a  sweet  composure  and  recumbency  of 
soul  such  have  laid  themselves  upon  the  promise,  in  that 
hour,  while  they  were  grappling  with  the  king  of  terrors  ; 
their  spirit  then  quiet  andcalm,  having  taken  the  truth  and 
testimony  of  God  for  their  shield  and  buckler;  which  may 
tell  the  world  what  another  kind  of  security  and  confidence 
these  have  beyond  others  ;  yea,  that  surely  the  ground  on 


Tbe  Fulfilling  cf  the  Scripture.  201 

which  this  confidence  is  founded,  must  be  a  thing  that  is 
able  to  bear  out  the  greatest  storm  and  assault,  and  is  some- 
thing above  nature. 

4.  Is  it  not  clear,  that  even  an  untimely  and  violent  death 
could  not  hinder  or  frustrate  that  peace,  which  integrity 
eauseth  in  the  close  ?  For  innumerable  instances  can  wit- 
ness what  marvellous  joy  and  satisfaction  the  saints  have 
she  wed  at  a  stake,  and  upon  a  scaffold  ;  and  thence  have 
had  more  cheerful  going  out  of  time,  than  the  rich  man 
stretched  upon  his  soft  bed,  or  the  greatest  monarch 
amidst  all  outward  advantages.  Sure  we  must  say,  that 
sweet  refreshing  close  of  the  upright  man  hath  never 
been  more  visible,  and  writ  in  greater  letters,  than  in  such 
a  case. 

5.  What  very  sad  conflicts  have  some  of  the  saints  had 
in  their  life  ;  yea,  even  upon  the  setting  of  the  sun  have 
been  put  to  cry  out  through  sore  perplexing  fears,  and 
doubts,  wherewith  they  have  been  assaulted,  who  have  at 
last  had  this  turned  into  a  song,  and  such  a  marvellous 
change  in  their  case,  as  hath  not  been  more  sensible  to 
themselves,  than  discernible  to  all  lookers  on,  like  a  sud- 
den calm  and  sunshine,  after  some  dark  storm.  I  must 
here  ask  the  atheist,  and  such  as  reckon  godliness  but  a 
fancy,  whence  should  so  strange,  so  sudden  and  great  alter- 
ation proceed  ;  that  those  who  a  Kttle  before  were  under 
such  horror,  could  have  no  rest,  no  arguments  could  serve 
their  turn,  do  thus  witness  the  abundant  peace  of  their 
souls  ;  yea,  (which  is  oft  seen)  that  fervent  desire,  where- 
with some  of  the  saints  are  taken  away,  the  very  lustre  of 
heaven  being  upon  their  countenance !  How  marvellous 
and  piercing  are  their  words,  which  may  clearly  tell  that 
now  they  feel,  they  see,  and  have  got  some  glance  of  that, 
which  lookers  on  cannot  reach,  though  they  cannot  deny 
an  acknowledgment  of  this. 

6.  Must  not  the  world  grant,  yea,  the  greatest  enemies 
to  godliness  allow  this  charity,  that  sure  this  peace  and  joy 
which  such  have  witnessed  at  death,  can  be  no  counterfeit  ? 
That  there  is  no  temptation  could  thus  bias  them  to  de- 
ceive others,  and  themselves,  in  a  matter  of  such  high  con- 
cernment ;  and  at  a  time,  when  it  is  expected,  the  grossest 
of  men  would  speak  truth  ;  yea,  that  this  doth  appear, 
while  men  cannot  in  the  least  charge  dying  christians,  with 
any  distemper  in  their  judgment,  but  while  they  have  been 
most  composed,  stayed,  and  present  in  mind,  and  as  to. 
other  tilings  of  their  concernment,  most  deliberate  and  so* 
ber ;  even  then  they  have  borne  this  witness. 


208  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

Since  that  peace  and  joy,  which  integrity  hath  in  the 
close  of  the  day,  when  the  saints  are  dying,  is  undeniable, 
even  to  the  conviction  of  the  world,  I  would  add  some- 
thing about  that  great  truth,  The  immortality  of  the  soul, 
and  its  subsisting  after  death  :  to  which  this  joy,  when  the 
christian  is  finishing  his  course,  hath  a  special  respect ; 
and  is  a  truth,  wherein  the  scripture's  accomplishment, 
and  the^  certainty  of  that  blessed  record,  may  be  convinc- 
ingly witnessed,  and  demonstrated  to  the  world.  For  it  is 
thus  (I  mean,  by  the  light  of  the  scripture)  that  life  and, 
immortality  is  brought  to  light,  and  made  known  to  the 
sons  of  men.  I  know,  this  seems  so  common  and  uncon- 
troverted  a  thing,  an  after  being  of  the  soul,  and  its  eter- 
nal subsistence,  that  to  essay  more  than  the  naming  of  it 
may  be  looked  on  as  impertinent.  But  oh,  how  unknown 
a  truth  is  it  !  of  which  there  needs  no  more  to  shew  the 
little  solid  persuasion  men  have,  but  that  it  is  so  usually 
passed  with  so  few,  and  these  very  common  thoughts.  It 
is  not  indeed  much  questioned,  not  because  it  is  believed 
and  men  are  sure  thereof,  but  because  they  are  not  in 
earnest  about  such  a  thing.  It  concerns  the  world  to  keep 
at  a  distance  from  a  thorough  knowing  of  that  which  would 
be  their  torment  to  know  ;  and  there  is  cause  for  this  sad 
regret  within  the  church,  that  the  most  great  and  funda- 
mental truths,  wherein  our  comfort  ismost  concerned,  are 
usually  least  studied.  But  O  should  it  not  put  us  to  other 
thoughts,  if  we  could  have  a^ serious  view  of  this  ?  It  may 
truly  be  said,  the  better  part  is  so  buried  in  the  worst  part, 
that  until  men  are  dying,  few  lay  this  to  heart,  that  their 
souls!  must  live  for  ever,  yea,  must  once  part  fellowship 
with  the  body,  and  enter  in  another  world,  and  an  unknown 
state,  until  the  resurrection.  What  I  intend  here,  is  only 
a  short  touch  at  this  great  truth,  as  it  is  a  convincing  wit- 
ness to  the  scripture,  and  the  accomplishment  thereof; 
about  which  I  would  offer  these  three  to  be  considered. 
t.  How  express  and  clear  a  testimony  the  scripture  gives 
to  this.  2.  On  what  plain  and  undeniable  grounds  of 
reason  this  truth  is  demonstrated  to  the  world.  3.  How 
great  a  thing  it  is,  to  believe  and  be  assuredly  persuaded 
thereof ;  for  it  seems,  men  rather  dream,  than  have  their 
judgments  seriously  exercised,  or  are  in  earnest  about  such 
a  thing. 

As  to  the  first,  it  is  undeniable  that  not  only  the  scrip* 
ture  holds  this  forth,  but  that  there  only  men  have  a  clear 
and  right  discovery  of  it.  it  is  indeed  known,  what 
glances  the  world  hath  had  of  this,  yea,  what  hath  been 
writ  thereon,  by  some  whose  sole  guide  was  the  light  of  na- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  209 

ture,  in  this  search.  But  it  is  no  less  evident,  how  very 
dark  and  uncertain,  these  have  been  :  they  could  not  shift 
some  conviction  thereof,  but  it  was  through  a  dark  cloud, 
and  as  some  pleasant  dream,  they  looked  diereon ;  because 
they  did  not  know  its  rise  and  original,  and  what  the  end 
was,  to  which  in  its  actings  it  ought  to  be  directed  ;  they 
knew  not  what  its  after  condition  could  truly  mean. 
Hence  with  such  wavering  and  uncertainty  do  they  ex- 
press their  thoughts.  I  do  not  here  mean  the  schools  of 
Epicurus  only,  to  whom  the  soul  was  but  a  complexion  of 
atoms  ;  but  ye  see.  how  perplexed  and  uncertain  both 
Aristotle  and  others  of  those  famous  ancients  have  shewed 
themselves  about  this  :  which  speaks  out  more  some  per- 
plexed and  disordered  notion,  which  they  could  not  ward 
off,  than  any  clear  and  certain  discovery  which  they  had 
on  solid  grounds  thereof ;  for  they  knew  not  the  scripture, 
where  its  original,  whence  it  is,  and  whither  it  must  re- 
turn, is  so  clearly  held  forth.  Eccl.  xii.  7.  And  you,  may 
further  see,  Heb.  xii.  9.  Gen.  ii.  7.  Luke  xvi.  22,  23. 
I  Pet.  iii.  9. 

2.  This  grave  testimony,  which  the  scripture  of  God 
does  bear  to  such  a  truth,  may  be  also  held  forth  to  the 
world  from  such  a  clear  and  rational  demonstration,  that 
the  most  brutish  of  men  can  hardly  sink  so  far  into  the  con- 
dition of  a  beast,  as  to  deny  they  have  a  never*  dying  soul, 
which  will  not  go  to  the  dust  or  inherit  corruption  with  the 
body.  I  should  be  loath  to  borrow  so  much  of  your  time, 
by  any  discourse  on  a  subject,  which  by  others  hath  been 
so  much  handled  ;  for  which  there  are  many,  many  argu- 
ments unanswerably  demonstrative  of  this  truth,  both 
physical  and  moral ;  yet  having  mentioned  it,  I  cannot  al- 
together pass  the  same  without  a  touch  at  some  few,  that 
may  be  most  convincing  and  obvious.  (1.)  If  you  should 
question  the  being  and  subsistence  of  the  soul  after  death, 
you  must  also  deny  its  frame  ;  that  it  is  a  simple,  imma- 
terial and  active  substance,  which  hath  neither  quantity 
nor  parts,  and  is  not  compounded  of  any  principles,  and 
therefore  can  be  resolved  to  none.  (2.)  Do  but  consider, 
if  the  soul  have  no  cause  of  corruption,  and  from  no  contra- 
ries can  suffer  opposition,  as  the  body  does,  through  the 
prevalency  of  heat  or  cold,  how  should  it  then  admit  of  a 
dissolution  with  the  body  !  For  you  know  generation  and 
corruption  they  are  by  contraries.  And  if  you  argue  from 
any  natural  cause,  it  must  surely  be  one  of  two,  which 
makes  the  soul  partake  with  the  body  in  its  decay  and 
mouldering  down  ;  either  a  dependence  on  matter,  as  the 
froui  of  the  beast  hath,  which  is  but  a  material  form,  or  a 
c  c 


210  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

conflict  from  contrary  qualities,  which  you  know  helps  the 
body's  wasting  and  its  fall  :  but  I  think,  you  would  not  so 
far  contradict  reason,  as  to  allege  any  of  these  concerning 
the  soul  of  man.  (3.)  Consider,  if  by  those  diseases  to 
which  the  body  is  subject,  the  soul  is  not  reached,  must  it 
not  also  have  a  distinct  existence  from  it  ?  And  I  am  sure, 
you  must  grant,  the  soul  doth  not  directly  suffer  from  any 
outward  diseases ;  but  the  body  may  be  under  expressi- 
ble pain  and  anguish,  when  there  is  a  sweet  calm  and  se- 
renity within.  (4.)  Does  not  this  witness,  that  the  soul 
lies  not  a  dying  with  the  body,  nor  falls  with  it,  since  it 
suffers  no  decrease,  but  is  found  strong  and  vigorous  in  its 
actings,  when  the  flesh  is  brought  low,  and  on  a  visible  de- 
cay ?  Yea,  is  it  not  at  the  greatest  advantage  in  its  exercise 
and  discerning,  the  more  separate  from  the  body  and  sen- 
sible things  I  Now  it  is  sure,  that  cannot  be  destructive  to 
the  soul  in  its  being,  which  is  so  subservient  to  it  in  its  op- 
eration. I  think,  those  who  ever  observed  the  joy  and 
peace  of  a  dying  christian,  and  the  excellent  frame  and 
composure  of  his  soul,  under  a  pained  and  languishing 
body,  through  many  diseases,  may  clearly  see  this  truth, 
and  there  read  a  lecture  of  the  immortality  of  the  soul. 
(5.)  Will  you  consider,  can  the  soul  of  man  have  a  de- 
pendence on  the  body  in  its  being,  when  it  does  no  way 
depend  thereon  in  its  acting  and  exercise  ?  For  it  is  sure, 
it  does  truly  act,  yea,  hath  a  clear  ratiocination,  even  when 
the  body  sleeps  :  and  O does  it  not  prove,  that  this  soul 
that  is  found  waking,  when  the  other  is  asleep,  must  have 
a  distinct  subsistence,  and  live  when  that  dies.  (6.)  If 
you  admit  that  there  are  spirits  and  incorporeal  beings, 
which  do  act  without  a  body,  and  yet  have  a  true  and  real 
subsistence,  can  you  doubt  or  question  the  existing  of  the 
soul,  or  its  exercising  the  faculties  thereof,  without  the 
body,  though  you  do  not  reach  how  this  should  be  ?  And 
if  there  be  indeed  a  converse  and  intercourse  betwixt  us 
and  spiritual  beings,  yea,  a  truth  in  fellowship  with  God 
the  Father  of  spirits,  O  may  not  this  satisfy  ingly  demon ~ 
strate  that  existence  and  acting  of  the  soul ;  even  when  the 
body  is  at  a  distance  and  in  the  grave  !  (7.)  Consider,  that 
which  you  must  grant  hath  a  dominion  and  preeminence 
over  the  body  ;  by  its  making  a  rational  choice  of  good 
when  it  is  most  cross  to  the  desire  and  delight  of  the  flesh  ; 
yea,  cannot  only  determine  it  to  endure  most  grievous  tor 
merits,  but  does  oft  witness  a  special  delectation  therein, 
muse  it  not  be  something  truly  distinct  from  the  body,  and 
what  can  have  a  subsistence  without  it  ?  Now  this,  lam 
sure,  you  will  not  deny,  that  there  is  such  a  dominion  over 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  211 

the  flesh,  and  a  captivating  of  it  to  the  law  of  the  mind  ; 
which  the  most  sensual  and  brutish  will  not  deny  in  many 
instances,  how  little  acquaintance  soever  they  have  with  it 
themselves.  (8.)  Since  there  is  a  discovery  and  knowl- 
edge of  things,  not  only  above  the  reach  and  impressions  of 
sense,  but  even  contrary  thereto,  that  men  do  rationally 
judge  and  assent  to  truths,  which  truly  contradict  their 
senses,  as  the  rotundity  of  the  earth,  which  seems  to  us  a 
plain,  &c.  O  does  it  not  shew,  that  this  soul  in  man, 
which  can  so  far  soar  above  the  earth,  and  does  so  far  ex- 
ceed the  body,  must  be  of  a  more  excellent  mould,  and 
something  truly  different  from  it  ?  I  shall  but  add,  what 
means  that  war  and  struggling  which  to  every  christian  is 
known  betwixt  the  flesh  and  the  spirit  ;  yea,  to  every  man 
is  known  betwixt  him  and  his  natural  conscience?  what 
mean  those  reflex  acts  of  the  soul  on  itself,  those  marvel- 
lous products  of  the^  understanding,  and  new  discovery  ? 
why  are  men  so  anxious  and  concerned  about  their  surviv- 
ing name,  which  is  a  most  poor  airy  accident,  not  worth 
the  regarding,  if  there  were  a  destruction  of  the  whole  ? 
what  means  that  marvellous  deportment  of  so  many  martyrs 
for  the  truth,  that  they  should  shew  such  a  joy  and  satisfac- 
tion amidst  their  torments,  as  though  they  had  no  bodies  ; 
the  pleasure  of  the  soul  so  far  overcoming  the  pain  of  the 
flesh  ?  what  means  so  universale  consent  to  this  truth,  that 
those  who  hate  and  fear  it,  yet  cannot  be  rid  thereof  ?  and 
I  must  also  ask,  how  are  the  choice  and  the  excellent  of  the 
earth  so  oft  crushed  under  the  feet  of  their  oppressors, 
whilst  these  wretches  do  oft  wallow  in  all  satisfying  outward 
delights  i  yea,  sometimes  go  hence  without  bands  in  their 
death  ?  In  a  word,  O  what  is  it  that  makes  so  vast  a  differ- 
ence betwixt  men  and  beasts,  since  these  you  see  have  a  sen- 
sual life,  want  not  some  natural  sagacity,  and  have  their 
enjoyments  by  the  senses  as  well  as  man  ? 

3.  Let  us  consider  how  great  and  astonishing  a  froth 
mis  is.  O  immortality,  do  men  believe  it  (the  souPs  sur- 
viving the  body,  and  that  condition  wherein  it  will  enter) 
and  yet  have  so  few  thoughts  thereof  !  For  this  is  a  matter 
of  such  concernment,  that  may  turn  much  of  our  life  in  a 
continued  wondering.  I  must  say,  p  can  this  be  believed, 
our  having  an  immortal  soul,  which  is  of  a  more  excellent 
nature  and  inestimable  value,  than  these  visible  heavens, 
sun,  moon,  and  stars :  and  which  no  less  than  the  blood  of 
him  who  was  truly  God,  couiel  ransom  from  everlasting 
wrath,  and  yet  that  we  put  so  small  a  price  thereon  !  Is  it  in- 
d  eed  believed  by  men,  whilst  they  are  so  hot  in  their  pur. 
s  uit  after  the  wcrld  ?  since  here  is  a  question  may  silencr 


212  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

all  flesh,  What  should  it  avail  a  man  to  gain  were  it  the 
whole  world,  when  it  is  purchased  with  the  losing  of  the 
soul  ?  It  is  sure,  there  is  no  imaginable  proportion  betwixt 
that  and  a  piece  of  red  earth,  or  betwixt  a  few  years  of  time 
and  long  eternity.  I  remember  a  passage  of  worthy  Mr. 
Blair,  our  own  countryman,  who  the  first  time  he  heard 
Mr.  Bruce  preach,  said,  The  fame  of  so  great  a  man  caus- 
ed him  to  expect  something  very  extraordinary  from  him  : 
but  his  whole  sermon  did  press  this  truth  of  the  soul's  being 
immortal,  and  that  it  was  a  great  thing  to  believe  it ;  he 
confessed,  it  did  at  first  some  way  amuse  him,  why  he 
dwelt  so  much  upon  so  known  and  common  a  subject :  but 
after,  he  found  it  was  some  other  tiling  than  appears  at  the 
first  lcok  ;  for  which  men  may  dispute,  and  toss  it  as  a  no- 
tion in  the  schools,  who  never  knew  what  it  was  to  believe 
the  truth  thereof;  and  that  a  serious  impression  of  it  on  the 
heart  is  something  else  than  a  swimming  of  it  in  the  head, 
by  some  ordinary  speculation  of  this.  O  what  a  truth 
would  it  appear,  and  what  astonishment  would  it  cause,  if 
men  would  but  some  times  go  alone,  and  consider, 
(1.)  What  it  is  they  have  thus  held  out  to  them,  and  how 
great  a  change  is  before  them,  which  ere  many  days  must 
be  in  their  condition,  when  once  that  strange  step  is  passed 
betwixt  time  and  another  world,  which  they  can  step  but 
once.  (2.)  That  this  marvellous  change  is  truly  near ; 
time  making  long  steps,  the  vessel  under  full  sail,  which 
carries  men  forward,  whether  they  sleep  or  wake,  to  that 
port :  for  it  is  sure,  this  cannot  be  long  deferred,  and  it  is 
very  unsure,  but  this  night  thy  soul  may  be  required. 
(3.)  That  this  change  must  be  in  a  moment,  in  the  very 
twinkling  of  an  eye,  and  no  interval,  but  a  present  entering 
of  the  soul  into  that  after  state,  which  shall  then  put  the 
christian  in  the  fulness  of  an  inconceivable  joy,  in  the  im- 
mediate presence  of  God,  in  the  embracements  of  the  Me- 
diator, amongst  the  angels,  and  spirits  of  the  just  made 
perfect ;  but  one  moment  also  must  put  others  out  of  their 
sensual  pleasures  and  delights,  the  prince  off  his  throne, 
and  those  who  have  been  wallowing  in  the  world,  down  to 
those  dark  and  horrid  prisons,  where  with  the  ceasing  of 
this  world's  melody,  they  are  forthwith  met  with  that  hor- 
rid noise  and  howiing  of  the  devils  and  of  all  the  company 
of  the  damned.  (4.)  Oh!  if  men  would  consider,  what 
thoughts  they  shall  then  have  in  another  world,  of  that  oth- 
er world,  and  what  other  thoughts  a£  their  fornier  state  and 
condition  ;  how  tar  they  will  find  this  beyond  all  they  ever 
thought  or  conceived  at  a  distance.  (5.)  Should  it  not 
cause  astonishment  to  think  seriously  on  this  great  change, 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture,  213 

vrhich  admits  no  after  change ;  but  that^  there  long  eternity 
is  the  true  measure  of  the  soul's  duration  after  death  !  O 
what  a  long  breathing  word,  to  be  ever  ever  blessed  or  mis- 
erable, where  the  one  hath  no  fear  and  can  go  no  more  out, 
and  the  other  no  hope  or  possibility  thereof!  The  hope  of 
the  hireling  is  not  there,  that  he  may  change  his  master  at 
the  next  term  ;  for  these  gates  are  everlastingly  shut,  by  the 
decree  of  him  who  alters  not. 

Now  to  shut  up  this  argument,  I  shall  offer  one  instance 
more,  wherein  the  world  may  see  the  truth  of  the  scripture, 
and  therewith  of  a  divine  providence,  convincingly  demon- 
strated, if  prejudice  did  not  draw  a  veil  and  obstruct  so  ex- 
cellent a  discovery  :  it  is  this,  That  the  way  of  God  is  per- 
fect, (Psal.  xviii.  30.)  and  that  his  works  are  perfect ;  and 
his  ways,  judgment,  (Deut.  xxxii.4.)  yea,  that  he  does  all 
things  well,  (Mark  vii.  37.)  which  testimony  then  the 
multitude  was  forced  to  bear  to  this  great  truth  :  and  O 
how  great  a  truth  is  it !  which  can  be  said  neither  of  angels 
nor  men,  but  to  him  hath  a  peculiar  respect,  even  to  him 
alone,  in  whose  way  there  is  nothing  crooked,  no  mistake, 
no  inequality,  nothing  too  much  or  superfluous,  nothing 
out  of  clue  time,  that  is  either  too  soon,  or  too  late,  nothing 
incongruous,  nothing  misplaced  ;  yea,  in  all  he  does  noth- 
ing which  is  not  best  done,  which  any  could  rectify  or  make 
better,  but  in  every  piece  of  his  work  leaves  matter  of  won- 
der behind,  and  thus  declares  himself  to  be  God  !  I  know, 
this  is  a  truth  the  world  cannot  well  bear,  but  pretends  a 
visible  contradiction  from  the  great  disorder,  that  things 
here  seem  to  be  in  ;  for  men  will  oppose  to  this,  what  a 
miscarrying  there  is  of  instruments,  what  a  strange  emer- 
gency there  is  of  most  grievous  and  cress  accidents,'  the 
most  promising  means  frequently  blasted  ;  yea,  how  good 
and  evil  are  so  strangely  interweaved  ;  and  is  not  the  pres- 
ent day  oft  undoing  the  work  and  labour  of  the  former  ?  Yet 
whatever  the  world  can  say  to  darken  this  great  truth,  That 
the  way  cf  the  Lord  is  absolutely  perfect,  it  must  shine: 
yea,  it  does  not  want  clearness,  when  by  a  thick  interposi- 
tion betwixt  us  and  the  same,  there  may  be  need  of  clearing 
it.  The  sun  ceases  not  to  shine,  when  the  clouds  obstruct 
its  brightness,  as  to  us.  O  that  those  who  will  debate  so 
great  a  truth,  would  but  come  near,  and  by  a  serious  per- 
pending, consider  the  work  of  the  L or d,  then  should  they 
see  so  much  in  the  daily  tract  and  administration  of  provi- 
dence, yea,  even  in  most  ordinary  passages  thereof,  that 
might  arrest  their  spirit  with  astonishment,  the  discovery 
whereof  they  shun,  by  keeping  at  a  distance  from  in 


214  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

I  shall  touch  a  little  this  demonstration,  how  this  piece 
of  divine  truth  is  verified  and  writ  out  in  the  event,  to  the 
observation  of  the  world,  that  they  who  cannot  spiritually 
discern  the  same*  yet,  have  so  much  witnessed  as  to  daz- 
zle their  eyes,  and  force  this  acknowledgment,  that  the 
way  of  the  Lord  is  perfect,  and  he  hath  done  all  things 
well!  and  for  clearing,  I  would  offer  some  particulars, 
though  few,  yet  so  very  comprehensive,  that  in  a  large 
measure,  they  reach  not  only  those  great  works  of  God, 
wherein  he  most  eminently  declares  himself  about  the 
church,  but  takes  in  also  the  most  ordinary  things  of  prov- 
idence, here  under  the  sun,  and  therein  demonstrates  the 
certainty  of  this  truth. 

First,  you  may  see  this  clearly  verified,  that  the  way  of 
the  Lord  is  perfect,  in  the  whole  frame  and  structure  of  the 
church  of  Christ  here  ;  which  is  made  a  great  wonder,  and 
an  astonishing  piece  of  the  work  of  God,  beyond  the  most 
exquisite  human  contrivance,  that  ever  was.  It  is  true, 
her  glory,  that  does  most  affect  the  eye,  and  ravish  the 
heart,  it  is  within,  and  lies  not  in  the  common  road  of  men's 
observation  :  yea,  some  parts  of  this  excellent  body  oft- 
times  are  in  such  a  disorder,  as  darkens  the  beauty  of  the 
whole  ;  there  is  such  an  intermixture  of  the  hay  and  stub- 
ble of 'human  inventions,  with  this  choice  buiiding,  that 
helps  to  mar  its  order  and  beauty  ;  the  carved  work  also 
may  be  spoiled  and  broken  down,  as  with  axes  and  ham- 
mers ;  yet  with  all  these  disadvantages,  there  is  a  glory  on 
the  church  of  Christ,  an  awful  majesty,  such  convincing 
marks  of  its  grandeur,  even  under  its  ruins,  as  have  forced 
the  world,  and  the  great  men  thereof,  to  consider  that  sight 
with  wonder  and  amazement,  which  you  see,  Psal.  xlviii. 
they  saw,  they  marvelled,  and  hasted  away.  And  the  pre- 
ceding words  give  clear  reason,  for  God  was  known  in  her 
palaces  for  a  refuge.  They  saw  something  both  in  the 
grandeur  and  frame  of  the  church,  and  in  her  preservation, 
that  forced  them  to  see  that  it  was  something  more  than 
human.  Now  to  clear  this  a  little,  do  but  consider  these 
few  instances,  wherein  you  may  see  the  great  and  stupen- 
dous fabric  of  the  church,  and  how  all  things  are  there 
well  ordered  by  him  who  hath  framed  it.  (1.)  You  may 
see  on  what  a  sure  foundation  it  is  built,  even  that  of  the 
prophets  and  apostles  which  is  the  scripture  of  God,  where- 
on as  it  is  manifestly  founded  :  it  is  no  less  marvellously 
united  and  joined  together  in  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the  chief 
corner  stone :  will  you  seriously  consider  the  form  of  the 
house,  and  the  fashion  thereof,  its  goings  out  and  comings 
in,  with  all  its  ordinances,  and  there  you  may  see  how 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  215 

marvellously  exact  and  uniform  this  building  is.  (2.)  Is 
it  not  likewise  obvious,  that  the  church  thns  fitly  joined  to- 
gether and  knit,  by  all  that  the  joints  do  supply,  in  its 
whole  complex  frame  groweth  up  as  a  building  to  the 
Lord?  Yea,  is  there  not  a  very  strait  union  and  correspon- 
dence betwixt  all  the  parts  thereof  in  the  same  faith  and 
worship  ;  that  though  divided  in  so  many  parcels  through 
the  world,  yet  is  still  one  entire  body,  the  union  whereof, 
the  variety  of  members,  and  these  of  such  various  sizes, 
tiiat  great  inequality  amongst  them  in  their  growth,  the  re- 
moteness of  place,  different  languages,  exile  or  change  of 
countries,  yet  cannot  break  off  that  near  tie,  that  joins  the 
church  of  Christ  together.  (.1.)  What  a  wonderful  con- 
trivance is  it,  which  is  in  the  world,  yet  not  of  it  ?  that 
spreads  itself  among  the  nations,  yet  loseth  not  its  own  dis- 
tinct being  ;  is  mixed  with  human  societies,  yet  an  inclos- 
ure  and  incorporation  by  herself;  a  fountain  of  sweet  wa- 
ters sealed,  though  surrounded  with  this  great  salt  ocean  of 
the  world;  is  made  up  of  many  particular  churches,  yet 
every  part  homogeneous,  and  of  the  same  nature  with  the 
whole  ;  and  though  it  seems  to  be  open  to  sore  assaults^ 
yet  is  a  defenced  city,  which  is  impaled,  hath  both  her 
walls  and  watchmen,  her  bulwarks  and  strong  towers! 
(4.)  This  is  of  such  a  frame,  that  is  both  visible  and  invisi- 
ble, yet  not  two  distinct  churches  ;  though,  under  diverse 
considerations,  it  comprehends  both  without  any  jar,  and 
hath  communion  with  Jesus  Christ  as  her  head  for 
life  ;  standing  related  to  him  as  his  mystical  body,  and  yet 
as  a  visible  politic  body,  is  related  also  to  him,  as  its  su- 
preme head,  by  a  political  government  and  guidance,  and 
hath  an  express  charter  granted  for  its  extents  and  rights, 
(5.)  This  must  be  said  of  it,  though  black,  yet  comely ; 
though  it  does  not  want  some  spots  they  do  not  so  far  mar 
its  beauty,  but,  that  in  all  its  several  administrations  there 
appears  a  singular  grace.  It  hath  indeed  its  blemishes  and 
failings,  yet  every  measure  and  degree  thereof  does  not  for- 
feit her  relation,  rights,  and  privileges.  (6.)  Is  it^  not  a 
marvellous  frame,  which  does  not  want  a  corrupt  mixture> 
yet  in  its  rule  and  constitution  does  allow  no  corruption  ; 
and  though  many  are  found  gross  within,  yet  does  it  differ- 
ence  betwixt  the  precious  and  the  vile  ;  yea,  shuts  its  gates, 
as  well  as  it  opens,  and  is  no  more  tender  and  easy  in  her 
admission,  than  awful  and  authoritative  in  her  rejection  ? 
(7.)  It  is  so  well  constituted,  that  all  her  officers  have  their 
appointment,  and  each  their  work  and  charge  designed,  yet 
no  greater  variety  of  service  and  employments,  than  there 
is  of  gifts*  which  from  her  head  are  dispensed  and  suited  to 


216  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture, 

the  same.  (8.)  Sbe  is  of  such  a  mould  and  frame,  that 
though  she  can  boast  of  an  intrinsic  power ,  within  herself, 
yet  must  derive  it  from  another  fountain  ;  yea,  must  have 
a  directory  and  rule  from  her  supreme  head  and  lawgiver, 
for  exerting  the  acts  of  that  power  :  which  also  hath  its 
proper  objects,  even  the  inward  man,  and  its  peculiar  e?idi 
the  edification  of  the  body,  to  which  this  power  and  the 
exercise  thereof  is  directed.  (9.)  This  is  such  a  body, 
the  members  whereof  are  indeed  subject  to  the  magistrates^ 
and  denies  no  due  obedience  to  that  power,  yet  without 
any  subordination  or  subjecting  of  the  church,  as  such,  to 
an  human  power  :  and  though  it  hath  not  its  authority  or 
jurisdiction  from  men,  it  denies  no  just  respect  to  these  : 
it  does  bind  and  loose  upon  the  earth,  which  no  human  pow- 
er can  make  void  ;  and  though  cast  in  among  the  nations, 
yet  by  peculiar  bounds  is  kept  from  all  other  societies  dis- 
tinct :  she  hath  her  judicatories,  and  there  a  subordination 
of  the  lesser  to  the  greater,  yet  no  allowed  preeminence  and 
inequality  amongst  her  officers  ;  yea,  though  her  govern- 
ment is  truly  monarchic  with  respect  to  her  head,  for  there 
is  but  one  supreme  Lord  ;  yet  with  respect  to  the  servants 
and  officers,  it  is  a  most  excellent  well  tempered  aristocra- 
cy, which  holds  off  those  gradual  differences  of  power  and 
greatness  amongst  them,  which  are  so  much  in  use  amongst 
the  nations.  In  a  word,  O  do  you  consider  this  choice 
and  exquisite  frame,  and  you  will  see  how  both  tenderness 
and  severity  do  here  concur  ;  what  a  healing  there  is  here 
in  her  sharpest  rebukes  and  censures,  whilst  a  private  es- 
say for  gaining,  is  to  go  before  a  public  and  judicial  proce- 
dure ;  yea,  her  authoritative  determinations  without  preju- 
dice to  the  judgment  of  christian  prudence  and  discretion, 
which  belongs  to  every  one  of  her  members.  Consider 
also  how  she  wears  not  out,  but  hath  still  a  spring  after  the 
winter,  hath  both  her  signs  and  her  seasons,  and  whilst  she 
is  losing  and  in  a  decay  as  to  particular  members,  she  is 
still  travailing  in  birth  for  a  new  offspring  and  succession, 
O  that  they  who  stand  afar,  would  but  come  near,  and  seri- 
ously  look  on  this  rare  piece  of  work  !  Go  about  Zion,  con- 
sider well  her  towers  and  bulwarks,  &c.  that  you  may  see, 
this  is  a  fabric  the  Lord  hath  founded,  and  raised  up,  and 
that  surely  this  piece  of  the  word  is  therein  fulfilled,  His 
wau  is  perfect,  and  he  does  all  things  well, 

Secondly.  Is  not  this  great  truth  clearly  demonstrated, 
not  only  in  the  frame,  but  in  the  whole  conduct  and  admin- 
istration of  providence  about  the  church  ?  Which  is  indeed 
one  of  the  most  marvellous  discoveries,  we  have  of  God 
here  ;  yea.  even  to  the  world,  is  eft  convincingly  obvious. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  21? 

through  what  a  variety  of  dispensatioqs  he  useth  to  bring 
forth  his  work,-  and  makes  his  way  oft  break  out  £>f  the 
bosom  of  a  dark  cloud ;  yea,  so  unexpectedly  can  make 
those  perplexed  changes,  with  which  the  church  militant 
is  tossed,  resolve  in  such  a  satisfying  close,  that  it  may  be 
seen  they  were  all  directed  for  her  interest  and  advantage. 
I  know,  this  is  a  great  deep,  and  we  cannot  have  such  a  dis- 
covery of  the  providence  of  God  about  the  church,  nor 
reach  the  meaning  of  things  in  their  first  mould,  as  in  their 
after  tendency  and  product.  O  that  marvellous^  sight, 
which  shall  once  be,  when  that  great  work  of  providence, 
that  now  is  put  over  into  the  hand  of  the  Mediator,  hath 
its  perfect  close  ;  and  the  whole  frame  and  contexture  set 
up  together  as  one  entire  piece  to  look  upon,  that  is  now 
by  several  pieces  and  through  a  various  succession  of  ages 
carried  on  !  Yet  we  must  say,  the  Lord  herein  comes  so 
near,  even  in  the  darkest  times,  and  makes  the  glory  of 
this  truth  in  such  a  measure  shine  forth,  as  may  convinc- 
ingly witness  to  any  ordinary  observers,  the  way  of  the 
Lord  is  perfect  in  all  that  he  does.  I  shall  here  offer  some 
few  things,  that  in  every  time  are  obvious  to  those  who 
take  pleasure  in  such  a  discovery,  and  desire  not  to  keep 
at  a  distance  therewith.  (1.)  Must  it  not  be  said  of  his 
way,  that  he  does  nothing  in  vain,  but  makes  all  things  con- 
gruous to  his  end,  even  things  that  amongst  themselves  do 
most  cross  one  another  ?  Does  he  not  carry  on  his  design 
by  the  miscarrying  of  instruments,  and  bring  forth  his 
greatest  works  by  means  most  small  and  contemptible  I 
I  know,  the  world  would  object,  they  can  see  no  such 
thing  ;  and  indeed  providence  cannot  be  understood,  or 
the  meaning  thereof  by  one  look  :  but  I  must  ask,  do  you 
discern  the  motion  of  the  hand  upon  the  clock,  even  whilst, 
it  is  certainly  going  forward  ?  yet  when  it  comes  to  the 
hour,  and  strikes,  you  will  see  it  was  then  moving.  It  is 
sure,  there  are  such  periods,  that  providence  hath,  where 
its  meaning  does  not  clearly  break  forth,  until  it  comes  to 
the  striking  of  the  hour,  if  we  may  so  say  :  and  then  the 
most  stupid  are  forced  to  observe,  what  once  seemed  most 
improbable,  in  the  way  of  the  Lord.  (2.)  Is  it  not  also 
obvious  how  the  Lord  doth  ensnare  men  in  the  work  of 
their  own  hand,  and  turns  their  wrath  unto  his  praise  ?  how 
he  takes  the  wise,  and  outwits  them  by  their  counsels  ; 
makes  events  fallout  contrary  to  the  second  causes  ;  frus- 
trates the  most  promising  means  ;  and  by  things  unknown 
and  unthought  upon,  does  oft  bring  forth  the  deliverance 
of  the  church;  yea,  how  out  of  shame  and  reproach  he 
does  even  bring   about  his  glory.      Sure  these  are  not 

D  D 


218  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

so  far  in  the  dark,  that  in  any  age  the  world  can  altogether 
pretend  ignorance  thereof.  And  is  not  his  way  perfect, 
of  which  such  things  can  be  said  ?  (3.)  Have  we  not  this 
discovery,  how  the  church  is  oft  fed  by  the  rod:  yeas  un- 
der that  appears  with  such  advantage,  that  may  be  said,  her 
meat  hath  been  brought  forth  out  of  the  eater  ?  How  usu- 
ally is  her  mercy  and  enlargement  prepared  for  her,  by  the 
sharpest  downcasting  ?  oft  is  she  humbled,  in  order  to  an 
upraising  and  deliverance  ;  yea,  oft  is  one  step  of  the  way 
of"  the  Lord  made  clear  to  her  by  another.  O  is  not  here 
so  excellent  and  marvellous  a  method,  that  all  the  wit  and 
invention  of  the  world  cannot  follow  !  (4.)  His  way  is  in- 
deed perfect,  and  by  an  infinite  wisdom  managed,  which 
does  at  once  ^nd  by  the  very  same  providence,  reach  somany 
several  designs  ;  yea,  bring  forth  such  various  and  contra- 
ry effects,  that  no  human  reason  could  ever  judge  the  re- 
sult and  conclusion  by  the  premises ;  how  severity  and 
mercy  should  be  at  once  brought  forth  ;  a  more  full  stroke 
on  the  adversary,  by  their  further  raising,  yea,  by  along 
forbearance  of  that  stroke  ;  how  he  should  also  make  use 
of  the  same  mean  both  for  humbling  and  proving  and  to  do 
his  people  good  in  the  latier  end,  O  how  perfect  must  his 
way  be,  where  all  the  steps  thereof,  and  after  product ; 
would  seem  repugnant  ;  yet  no  real  jar.  For  the  church 
sinking,  yet  does  not  perish  ;  in  a  flame,  yet  not  consumed, 
but  is  thereby  kept  alive  ;  brought  under  the  yoke  of  the 
oppressor,  to  make  her  grow  and  flourish  ;  is  wounded  and 
smitten,  for  her  further  healing,  and  a  witness  of  God's  ten- 
derness to  her  thereby  ;  hath  a  greater  weight  and  burden 
put  on,  to  give  her  thus  ease  and  enlargement ;  yea,  is 
chastened  and  meets  with  suffering,  to  prevent  suffering, 
that  she  may  rest  in  the  day  of  trouble  !  Sure  these  are  a 
part  of  the  ways  of  God,  and  may  be  visibly  demonstrated 
in  the  conduct  of  his  providence  about  the  church,  even 
to  the  conviction  of  the  world.  But  oh  !  it  is  hard  to  see, 
when  men  will  shut  their  eyes.  (5.)  Is  it  not  obvious, 
what  strange  things  do  sometime  fall  in  betwixt  the  begin- 
ning  and  close  of  some  special  piece  of  providence  about 
the  church,  that  do  pass ^  human  reach  to  give  a  present 
reason  for  the  same  :  yet  in  all  these  may  there  not  be  dis- 
cerned a  remarkable  dependence  and  connection  of  things  ? 
how  in  such  a  variety  of  cross  events,  and  in  a  long  contin- 
ued  tract  of  providence,  every  thing  falls  in  aright,  in  its 
own  place  ;  yea,  every  step,  every  circumstance,  so  pro- 
portioned by  a  marvelous  disposal  and  conduct  thereof, 
to  suit  another,  for  making  the  whole  complex  providence 
beautiful;  that  on  a  serious  review  the  world  must  con- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  219 

fess,  this  is  a  concatenation  so  strange,  that  it  must  be  his 
work,  and  his  alone,  who  sees  things  from  the  beginning  to 
the  end.  (6.)  How  perfect  is  his  way,  who  can  hasten  and 
dispatch  his  work  by  delays  ;  and  when  he  seems  to  take 
a  long  circuit  in  bringing  about  his  design,  yet  loses  no 
time,  but  in  such  a  visible  going  back  does  most  effectually 
move  forward  !  Yea,  is  it  not  seen,  how  he  makes  things 
fall  in,  that  are  very  unexpected,  cross  and  remote  (that 
would  never  have  entered  in  our  thoughts)  to  answer ^  his 
blessed  end  ?  and  even  dispose  that  which  above  all  might 
seem  most  directly  destructive  to  the  church,  to  be  of  all 
other  things  most  effectual  and  subservient  to  her  advance; 
brings  her  more  quickly  forward  to  the  harbour  by  a  storm, 
than  a  calm !  O  have  we  not  such  great  things  to  observe 
in  the  way  of  the  Lord,  that  may  shew  it  is  indeed  perfect ! 
(7.)  It  is  also  very  clear,  though  not  on  the  first  view,  yet 
in  the  close  and  issue,  what  a  certain  steady  motion  provi- 
dence hath,  and  keeps  on  its  course,  whilst  the  world  is 
reeling  to  and  fro  :  how  the  church's  mercy  hath  by  great- 
est disappointments  been  more  fully  answered,  than  in  the 
most  probable  way  ;  yea,  when  her  relief  seemed  furthest 
off,  and  had  been  much  follovved  with  many  a  weary  look 
from  some  other  quarter,  with  what  a  strange  surprisal 
does  providence  oft  break  out  at  her  hand,  as  it  were  from 
under  the  ground,  with  an  unexpected  mercy  ?  (8.)  You 
may  see  his  way  is  perfect,  who  puts  a  peculiar  beauty 
upon  every  becurrent  of  providence,  and  brings  it  forth  in 
the  very  fit  opportune  time,  that  it  could  not  fall  out  more 
seasonably  and  with  more  advantage  to  the  church.  Is 
there  not  a  seen  cause  for  her  sharp  trials,  and  the  necessity 
thereof  no  less  discernible,  than  there  is  of  the  winter,  for 
the  profit  and  advantage  of  the  earth  ?  and  is  it  not  also 
manifest,  her  reviving  came  never  too  late,  but  in  the  very 
fittest  time  ?  I  know,  the  world  may  object,  they  can  see 
this  in  the  revolutions  of  the  year,  but  not  in  any  such 
changes  of  the  church  :  yet  I  am  sure,  this  is  manifest,  that 
the  church  of  Christ  hath  her  sj^/ and  her  more  comforting 
times  here,  with  as  discernible  a  succession  of  the  one  to  the 
other,  as  there  is  of  the  summer  to  the  winter  ;  yea,  that 
under  these  vicissitudes  of  her  condition  she  is  stiii  seen  to 
look  forth  with  a  peculiar  advantage.  I  shall  add  ;  what 
a  marvellous  composition  and  temperament  of  contraries 
is  discernible  in  this  excellent  frame  of  providence  ?  There 
is  nothing  here  incongruous  ;  nothing  here  too  small,  which 
doth  not  fall  under  its  reach,  and  nothing  so  great  that  can 
overreach  it ;  here  is  no  jar  or  disagreeing  with  the  diligent 
use  of  means,  yet  does  this  rise  so  far  above  the  same,  that 


220  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

no  human  care  can  bend  it  to  their  will,  nor  is  there  any 
running  cross  to  such  a  current.  Here  is  indeed  an  un- 
searchable deep  !  Yet  so  much  is  there  broken  forth  and 
made  clear,  that  may  convincingly  witness  and  verify  this 
truth,  even  to  ordinary  observers,  the  way  of  the  Lord  is 
perfect.  And  what  now  we  cannot  attain  in  its  discovery 
we  should  learn  to  admire  and  solidly  believe  a  more  clear 
manifestation  thereof. 

3.  I  shall  yet  further  pursue  this  demonstration  with  re- 
spect to  that  great  and  marvellous  work  of  God  in  the  re- 
demption  of  the  church  ;  a  contrivance,  we  may  say,  more 
wonderful  than  this  whole  structure  of  the  universe,  of  the 
heavens  and  earth,  which  are  so  exquisitely  framed  !  For 
here  the  thing  itself  is  not  more  astonishing,  than  the  way 
and  conduct  of  infinite  wisdom  is,  in  the  whole  frame,  and 
all  the  steps  thereof.  O  this  great  thing,  that  men's  dis- 
tance therefrom  does  only  keep  them  from  being  dazzled  ; 
where  their  ignorance  is  the  great  let  why  they  do  not  more 
wonder  at  it  !  This  is  indeed  far  above  nature,  that  with- 
out a  divine  illumination  it  cannot  be  known,'  or  under- 
stood :  yet  we  must  say,  so  much  is  brought  forth  and  dis- 
covered, that  those  who  have  only  report,  and^  thence  give 
some  ordinary  assent  thereto,  cannot  have  their  reason  and 
judgment  in  exercise  without  some  such  conviction  upon 
their  souls,  that  surely  this  is  a  contrivance  above  human 
reach,  and  worthy  of  the  great  God  ;  yea,  that  herein  his 
way  is  most  absolutely  perfect ;  and  no  sight  can  be  like 
this,  where  we  may  see  so  excellent  a  correspondence  be- 
tween the  foundation  and  superstructure,  that  the  whole 
tract  of  the  gospel  is  but  one  entire  and  complete  mean  for 
glorifying  God,  and  does  in  this  as  the  ultimate  end  re- 
solve. Here  men  may  see  the  greatness  of  his  power,  that 
inexpressible  freedom  of  his  grace,  the  holy  severity  of 
justice,  all  meet  and  join  together  in  a  sweet  agreement ; 
where  both  justice  is  salved  and  fully  answered,  and  yet 
sinners  saved  ;  where  mercy  does  rejoice  over  condemna- 
tion ;  vengeance  is  taken  on  our  inventions,  and  the  in- 
ventors escape.  O  strange  !  a  redemption  without  price 
and  absolutely  free,  as  to  sinners  ;  yet  all  that  a  just  God 
could  exact,  fully  satisfied  and  told  down  !  It  is  here  we 
may  rise  and  pursue  this  great  thing  up  to  the  fountain 
head,  which  is  the  sovereign  pleasure  of  God,  and  is  the 
internal  impulsive  cause  ;  and  thence  follow  it  down  to 
that  infinite  satisfaction  of  the  Mediator,  which  is  the  great 
meritorious  cause !  And  here  we  may  see,  how  marvel- 
busly  well  ordered  all  the  steps  of  this  way  are,  all  the  parts 
t  f  this  contrivance !  how  the  elect  are  made  meet  for  the 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  221 

inheritance,  through  sanctification  of  the  Spirit ;  how  faith 
hath  its  special  concurrence  and  instrumentality,  without 
prejudice  to  the  absolute  freedom  of  grace,  since  it  is  free- 
ly given  to  believe;  how  those  excellent  means  are  by  a 
most  strait  connection  linked  with  the  eternal  counsel  of 
God,  and  in  a  most  beautiful  order  joined  one  with  anoth- 
er !  Here  does  sanctification  flow  from  an  eternal  decree, 
and  like  an  excellent  stream  doth  run  down  through  time, 
until  it  lose  itself  (to  say  so)  in  that  great  deep  of  everlast- 
ing blessedness  !  Yea,  thus  the  purpose  of  the  Lord  runs 
under  the  ground,  concerning  his  people,  until  it  break  out 
at  Inst  in  their  heart,  by  their  answering  thecall  of  the  gos- 
pel !  O  how  stately  a  piece  of  work  this  is  !  And  is  not 
his  way  perfect  therein,  where  you  may  see  that  grand  plot 
of  the  devil  to  undo  man,  break  upon  himself,  and  by  the 
seed  of  the  woman  his  head  crushed!  where  so  glorious  a  fab- 
ric is  raised  out  of  so  great  a  ruin,  and  poor  man  established 
by  his  fall !  where  the  glory  of  the  sovereign  God,  the  free- 
dom of  grace,  and  man's  blessedness,  do  at  once  meet  to- 
gether !  where  the  cure  is  as  broad  and  large  as  the  wound, 
and  the  restoration  made  to  answer  to  every  piece  of  that 
ruin  :  I  mean,  not  only  in  man's  being  ransomed  from 
eternal  wrath,  but  that  the  enmity  should  be  killed  and 
taken  away,  and  such  a  marvellous  change  of  his  nature  by 
the  renewing  of  the  Spirit,  which  even  here  restores  him 
in  part  to  that  he  lost !  It  is  on  this  blessed  contrivance  we 
may  sec  men  brought  under  a  constraint  by  irresistible 
grace,  yet  without  violence  ;  their  reason  further  raised 
and  refined,  yet  not  broken,  and  its  true  liberty  not  taken 
away,  but  restored  ;  yea,  a  notable  consistency  betwixt 
moral  persuasive  arguments  and  the  efficacious  power  of 
grace  ;  betwixt  men's  planting  and  watering  in  the  use  of 
means,  and  the  alone  increase  thereof  from  the  Lord  ;  be- 
twixt a  physical  and  moral  concurrence  in  producing  one 
and  the  same  effect  ;  betwixt  those  two  desires  in  prayer, 
Da  (DomineJ  quod  jubes*  et  jube  quod  vis.  Is  there  not 
likewise  here  a  most  excellent  suitableness  and  congruity, 
betwixt  repentance  and  remission  of  sins,  without  preju- 
dice to  the  freedom  of  grace  ;  since  he  gives  repentance,  as 
weil  as  requires  it,  and  makes  his  people  what  he  would 
have  them  to  be  !  O  how  marvellous  a  contrivance  is  this, 
where  the  blessed  majesty  of  God  finds  an  argument  m 
himself,  when  man  had  none  wherewith  to  plead  ;  was 
found  in  the  form  of  a  servant,  and  became  our  nearest  kins- 
man, to  redeem  the  inheritance  :  where  his  people's  stand- 
ing is  ensured  bv  another  surety  and  strength,  than  their 
own  ;  not  .  v.  apprehending,  but  their  being  appre* 


222  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

bended:  where  the  Lord  does  oblige  himself  by  bond,  to 
make  that  good  which  is  only  of  grace,  and  is  most  freely 
given  :  where  ne  both  frames  the  desire  within  the  soul, 
and  satisfies  it !  1  shall  only  add,  it  is  here  the  redeemed 
having  nothing  in  themselves  to  boast  ;  and  the  reprobate 
none  but  themselves  to  challenge  ;  for  on  whomsoever  that 
door  is  shut,  they  have  therein  actively  concurred,  to  draw 
a  bar  for  shutting  themselves  out. 

4.  I  shall  offer  one  instance  more,  wherein  this  great 
truth  may  be  demonstrated  to  the  world  (that  the  way  of 
the  Lord  is  perfect,  that  his  works  are  done  in  judgment, 
yea,  that  he  does  all  things  well)  with  respect  to  that  mar- 
vellous order  of  nature,  and  disposal  of  the  works  of  God  un- 
der the  sun  :  how  inexpressible  well  all  are  fitted  for  some 
use,  and  directed  to  their  proper  end.  This  is  indeed  a 
truth,  wherein  the  greatest  atheists  may  see  this  piece  oi 
the  scripture  convincingly  verified,  wherein  God  comes  so 
near,  that  men  mzy  feel  after  bun,  (Acts  xvii.  27.)  that  it 
may  be  said,  there  is  no  way  to  shift  this  discovery,  but  to 
stop  their  ears,  and  shut  their  eyes.  O  what  a  wonderful 
disposal  may  be  seen,  even  in  the  most  common  things,  with 
a  mutual  subserviency  to  each  other  !  and  in  this  great  va- 
riety and  throng  of  the  creatures,  is  it  not  obvious  how  each 
hath  its  voice  and  speech,  to  give  us  something  of  instruc 
tion  ;  and  every  thing  hath  some  matter  of  wonder  in  it, 
that  we  may  say,  it  is  hard  to  be  an  atheist !  There  must 
be  a  strange  violenting  of  their  light,  where  the  invisible 
God  comes  so  near,  to  make  himself  known  by  things 
visible,  and  by  so  marvellous  a  conduct  and  ordering  there. 
of,  shews  unto  the  sons  of  men,  he  does  all  things  well. 
Oh,  may  it  not  be  said,  we  cease  to  wonder,  because  ev- 
ery day  we  live  and  converse  amongst  wonders !  Now  it 
is  here  the  world  hath  a  demonstration  of  the  scripture, 
that  they  dare  not  debate,  lest  they  should  deny  sense,  as 
well  as  reason  :  and  if  any  will  question  the  glorious  form- 
er of  all  things,  why  things  are  thus  ordered  and  disposed, 
let  him  but  retire  within  himself  and  he  will  find  the  want 
and  defect  is  truly  within,  which  he  would  challenge  in  the 
way  of  the  Lord.  May  we  not  see  with  astonishment  this 
frame  and  composure  of  the  universe,  how  each  thing  doth 
answer  its  part,  and  to  the  conservation  of  the  whole  ;  how 
amidst  a  great  contrariety  an  excellent  concord  is  manifest, 
in  all  its  different  parts,  natures  and  dispositions  !  I  must 
truly  say,  not  only  duty,  but  delight  and  pleasure  may  call 
men  to  this  study ;  yea,  even  to  lose  themselves,  as  it 
were,  in  so  sweet  a  labyrinth,  where  it  is  more  easy  to  en- 
ter,  than  to  find  an  outlet ;  and  all  things  do  witness,  even 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  223 

to  men's  senses,  the  truth  of  the  scripture.  It  is  sad,  we 
have  so  choice  and  true  a  history  every  day  to  read,  of  the 
works  of  God,  which  are  not  in  themselves  greater,  than 
that  wisdom  is  by  which  they  are  ordered  ;  and  yet  should 
be  for  the  most  part  as  a  sealed  book.  But  it  is  not  here 
in  a  general  this  truth  can  be  readied  ;  O  will  you  come  and 
see  !  Consider  the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  you  must  also  see 
it  is  perfect,  and  his  ways  are  judgment,  yea,  that  he  hath 
done  all  things  well.  Do  ■  but  consider  this  stupendous 
frame  of  the  universe,  a  fabric  that  in  all  its  parts  is  most  ex- 
actly  joined,  and  nothing  in  it  defective  or  out  of  order- 
Here  you  may  see  that  great  minister  of  nature,  the  sun, 
with -what  advantage  h  is  placed  and  fitted  to  dispense  its 
light  and  refreshing  influences  to  the  earth  ;  is  it  not  with 
such  wisdom,  that  to  move  in  a  higher  or  lower  orb  would 
not  thus  answer  the  advantage  of  things  below  !  with  what 
a  constant  motion  does  it  travel  betwixt  the  tropics,  to  ful- 
fil its  annual  course  ;  and  in  diverse  parts  does  successh  ely 
arise,  that  by  turns  it  may  give  the  several  parts  of  the 
earth  a  visit !  should  we  cease  to  wonder  at  the  rising  and 
setting  thereof,  because  it  is  so  frequently  seen  !  O  may 
not  this  arrest  our  thoughts  with  astonishment,  with  what 
wisdom  it  is  made  subservient,  all  along  its  course,  to 
cause  summer  and  winter,  spring  and  harves'  !  Yea,  how 
its  approaches  and  withdrawing^  are  gradual,  that  by  its  as- 
cent in  the  spring  it  may  dispose  our  bodies  for  the  sum- 
mer, and  by  its  descent  in  such  a  degree  in  the  harvest  may 
prepare  and  lit  us  for  the  winter,  that  there  should  not  be 
an  immediate  bordering  betwixt  these  extremes  !  Is  not 
its  correspondence  also  manifest,  that  it  hath  with  things 
here  below,  which  does  not  only  reach  the  surface  of  the 
earth,  but  the  most  inward  bowels  and  secret  caverns 
thereof  ?  For  its  power  is  known  on  minerals  as  well  as 
plants.  Is  it  not  also  evident,  that  this  glorious  body  of  the 
moon,  though  of  a  lesser  glory  than  the  other,  is  for  anoth- 
er use  than  for  men  to  gaze  thereon  ?  how  it  keeps  them 
from  groping  in  utter  darkness  through  the  night,  and 
lights  a  candle  to  the  world,  when  the  sun  is  gone  down, 
-which  by  its  withdrawing  does  so  far  discover  the  glory  of 
the  moon  and  stars,  that  its  brightness  did  veil  and  darken ; 
its  influence  is  known  also  upon  the  sea,  upon  seeds  and 
plants,  yea,  upon  the  humours  and  complexion  of  men's 
bodies.  O  what  innumerable  employments  are  those,  by 
which  it  is  made  continually  subservient  to  the  world  I 
And  do  you  not  see,  how  the  night  hath  its  special  use, 
and  is  well  ordered  as  well  as  the  day  ;  yea,  that  it  hath 
its  peculiar  beauty  ;  and  by  its  darkness  doth  commend 


224  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture* 

the  light,  and  makes  its  approach  more  sweet  and  desirable  X 
This  gives  the  labouring  world  some  time  for  repose,  and 
most  observably  answers  man's  weariness,  and  necessity 
of  such  a  rest,  with  so  fit  a  season,  that  we  may  say,  it  but 
draws  a  curtain  about  us  for  that  e,nd,  and  doth  thus  retire 
the  earth  and  put  in  a  sweet  and  silent  composure  from  the 
noise  and  hurryings  of  the  day.  Yea,  dots  not  every  even- 
lug  solemnly  warn  men  of  their  approaching  death,  and  the 
swift  passing  away  of  time,  that  they  may  have  no  excuse 
for  being  surprised  in  this  great  change,  who  have  so  grave,- 
so  frequent  a  monitor,  to  speak  of  it  to  them  ?  But  let  us 
a  little  further  follow  this  choice  inquiry  and  search  of  na- 
ture, which  is  so  clear  a  witness  to  the  scripture  ;  and 
you  may  see,  how  marvellous  these  various  motions  of  the 
heavens  are,  the  position  of  the  stars  and  constellations, 
where  eacli  hath  its  own  proper  course,  yet  all  carried 
about  to  one  general  and  common  end,  to  shew  there  must 
be  a  first  7?iocoer,  who  is  not  subject  to  motion  or  change, 
but  does  manifestly  determine  all  these.  O  strange  !  how 
does  this  great  body  of  the  earth  hang  upon  nothing  !  that 
a  thing  so  vast  and  ponderous  should  lean  upon  the  air,  as 
on  a  foundation !  Must  there  not  be  here  a  piece  of  art 
above  human  reach;  how  thus  it  does  keep  its  centre,  and 
rests  thereupon  ;  and  is  it  not  clear,  how  steady  the  axis  of 
the  earth  is,  and  perpetually  parallel  with  itself,  that  it  can- 
not tumble  this  or  that  way  ?  What  a  marvellous  order  is 
also  seen  in  those  higher  motions  of  the^  celestial  bodies  ? 
of  which  some  are  slow,  others  more  rapid  ;  some  tend  to 
the  east,  others  towards  the  west ;  and  yet  from  these, 
though  thus  cross  to  other,  there  results  a  singular  har- 
mony, in  which  the  conservation  of  the  world  and  produc- 
tion of  things  here  below  are  concerned,  which  could  not 
so  well  have  answered  this  ;  without  such  a  variety  in  their 
courses.  It  is  true,  the  Lord  might  have  made  every  day 
a  yearns  length,  and  caused  the  sun  to  keep  its  course  from 
east  to  west  so  long  :  but  O  how  well  are  all  these  things 
ordered,  and  that  thus  he  doth  divide  our  life  in  such  short 
stages,  to  make  us  more  frequently  mind  our  change  !  We 
see  likewise  how  marvellously  the  earth  is  framed  in  its 
various  parts  and  proportions,  and  the  singular  advantage^ 
it  hath  both  in  its  posture  and  figure  ;  the  mountains  and 
high  places  do  not  mar  its  beauty,  nor  want  their  use,  where 
the  blasts  have  a  shelter  provided  ;  and  is  not  nature  like- 
wise more  displayed  and  laid  open  to  men  by  the  plains 
and  vallies,  which  are  to  the  earth  a  special  ornament: 
How  manifold  is  the  use  of  the  air,  which  fills  up  that  vast 
space  betwixt  the  heavens  and  earth,  and  is  so  fit  a  medi- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  225 

um  for  correspondence  betwixt  the  higher  and  lower  world  ? 
It  is  here  the  birds  find  use  for  their  wings  ;  through  this 
the  rains  find  an  easy  passage  ;  this  does  intervene  betwixt 
the  sun  and  the  earth,  yet  is  no  let  to  the  communication 
either  of  light  or  heat,  but  its  scorching  is  thus  qualified  by 
that  sweet  cool  breathing  of  the  air.  Is  not  the  singular  use 
and  advantage  of  the  winds  also  known  ?  And  how  these 
are  both  directed  and  bounded,  so  that  men  can  neither 
cause  a  storm,  nor  a  calm,  at  their  pleasure.  And  O  can 
you  look  on  the  sea  and  not  wonder,  what  marvellous  things 
are  there  !  how  it  is  shut  up  with  gates  and  bars,  and  hath 
its  appointed  bounds,  without  which  there  could  be  no  rea- 
son why  a  bank  of  sand  should  restrain  the  great  ocean 
from  breaking  forth.  Its  manifold  use  and  advantage  is 
also  known:  would  any  wish,  that  the  whole  earth  were 
dry  land  ?  and  O  strange  that  this  not  only  is  made  passa- 
ble, but  by  that  art  of  navigation  become  a  more  easy  way 
for  transport  and  commerce,  by  which  cities  and  countries 
are  made  to  flourish  !  Do  you  not  see  that  regular  course 
it  keeps  in  its  ebbings  and  Rowings,  the  singular  use  and 
subservience  of  the  tides  ;  so  that  when  men  are  perplex- 
ed in  an  inquiry  about  the  natural  cause  of  these,  they  can- 
not but  observe  the  special  end  and  advantage  thereof  ? 
May  we  not  with  wonder  also  sec,  how  those  parts  of  the 
world,  which  have  the  most  scorching  clay  and  greatest 
heat,  have  usually  the  longest  night,  to  qualify  it  with  such 
a  cooling  moisture  ?  How  these  countries,  which  have  no 
rain,  as  Egypt,  have  some  supply  thereof  by  an  overflow- 
ing of  the  rivers  ?  Do  you  see,  any  members  either  of  men, 
or  beasts,  superfluous,  and  wanting  an  use  ?  or  is  there 
any  poison,  but  hath  some  peculiar  antidote  provided  ?  yea, 
the  most  hurtful  creatures,  as  serpents  and  vipers,  are  found 
of  singular  use  in  medicine,  against  their  own  hurt,  as  the 
oil  of  scorpions  is  against  the  sting  thereof.  You  see,  th^ 
poor  people  have  medicinal  Waters  provided  without  money  ; 
and  it  is  a  notable  remark,  which  is  certainly  known,  of 
one  who  inclosed  some  such  well  in  his  ground,  that  he 
might  put  an  impost  thereon,  had  it  taken  away  and  run 
dry  on  his  hand.  What  a  marvellous  use  is  there  of  nat- 
ural antipathies  and  sympathies,  whereon  the  operation  of 
medicine,  the  special  improvement  of  navigation,  by  mak- 
ing use  of  the  loadstone,  doth  so  much  depend  ?  You  see 
how  the  harvest  gives  a  large  compensation  for  the  toil  of 
the  spring;  and  do  not  the  poor  man's  labours  through 
the  day  make  his  bed  soft  in  the  evening,  and  his  rest  sweet 
unto  him  ?  You  see  that  correspondence  the  heavens  keep 
with  the  earth  in  those  sweet  refreshing  showers,  by  which 

t  E 


226  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

its  seminal  virtue  is  drawn  forth,  and  thus  the  rain  doth 
moisten  what  the  heat  would  scorch  :  you  may  see  how  it 
is  distilled  and  dropped  down,  not  in  violent  streams,  but 
as  it  were  through  a  small  sieve,  or  otherwise  it  would  hurt, 
more  than  help  :  you  would  not  desire  to  want  rain,  nor 
yet  to  have  it  perpetual ;  and  thus  it  is  ordered.    Are  not 
the  vapours  exhaled  from  the  earth,  that  by  refreshing 
showers  they  may  return  thither  again  ?  O  how  manifold 
are  the  works  of  the  Lord!  And  in  what^  wisdom  hath  he 
done  them  all !  Is  not  the  pain  and  travail  of  the  beasts,  in 
bringing  forth  their  young,  proportioned  to  their  condition, 
and  to  that  longing  they  have  ?  Job  xxxix.  3.     They  bow 
themselves,  and  bring  forth  their  young,  and  cast  forth  their 
sorrows.     And  as  their  time  and  duration  is  for  most  part 
shorter  than  man's,  is  not  their  growth  also  suited  there- 
to r  You  see,  men  have  their  lodging  furnished  ere  they 
come  into  the  world,  the  breasts  are  provided,  and  by  a 
wonderful  instinct  they  are  taught  to  seek  after  the  same. 
It  is  known  how  the  want  of  hearing  or  sight  useth  some 
other  way  to  be  recompensed  with    some  special  natural 
sagacity  :  yea.  a  want  and  defect    in  some  ^ parts  of  the 
body  is  oft  supplied  with  a  greater  agility  in  some  other 
members  thereof ;  which  is  known  in  many  remarkable 
instances  ;  such  as  that  woman  in  this  country,  not  long- 
since,  who  had  no  arms  from  her  birth,  but  could  with  no 
less  dexterity  make  use  of  her  right/00*  for  all  the  uses  of 
her  hand.     You  see  how  the  beasts  have  some  natural  de- 
fence, and  are  taught  self  preservation  ;  and  what  the  hare 
and  hind  wants  of  the  lion's  paw  and  strength,  is  made  up 
oft  by  a  more  swift  foot ;  what  an  advantageous  antipathy 
there  is  amongst  the  beasts,  lest  the  earth  should  be  over- 
run with  those  which  are  hurtful  ;  the  dog  fitted  by  a 
strange  tendency  of  its  kind,  to  pursue  the  wolf  and  the 
fox,  and  the  cat  for  destroying  of  rats.     You  see  how  the 
oxen  are  tamed  to  endure  the  yoke,  and  brought  under 
discipline,  whose  strength  is  above  many  of  the  wild  beasts. 
Are  not  those  things  that  are  most  absolutely  necessary, 
most  easy  likewise  to  be  had  ?  and  whilst  there  is  such  a 
variety  of  labour  and  toil  does  attend  the  lot  of  man  here, 
doth  not  the  earth  also  afford  a  variety  of  delights  ?  You 
see,  the  birds  neeel  no  instructor  to  build  their  nests,  and 
choose  a  fit  place,  nor  do  they  mistake  their  seasons  :  yea, 
do  not  these  sweet  musicians  by  their  natural  melody  call 
men  to  praise,  whose  debt  is  much  above  theirs  ?  Is  there 
not  a  marvellous  coalition  betwixt  the  graft  and  the  tree, 
which  exceeds  human  art,  if  nature  did  not  so  wonderfully 
cooperate  therein,  and  in  the  inoculating  a  small  bud  into 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  221 

a  stock  r  And  O  that  wonderful  increase,  that  follows  the 
seed  thrown  into  the  ground  !  how  it  dies  and  rots  there, 
that  it  may  rise  with  the  greater  lustre  and  advantage  j  and 
by  such  a  significant  emblem  teach  men  the  certainty  of 
the  rising  of  their  bodies.  For  it  is  sure,  the  ordinary 
things  of  nature  are  great  and  convincing  hieroglyphics,  to 
hold  forth  more  divine  things,  if  we  could  but  read  them. 
Do  you  not  see  what  veins  of  coals  and  other  minerals  go 
through  the  earth  ?  whence  it  is  furnished  and  hath  fit  ma- 
terials for  daily  use,  and  for  an  improvement  of  men's  fac- 
ulties ?  Is  not  the  earth  watered  by  an  intercourse  which 
springs  and  rivers  hath  with  the  sea  ?  And  what  some 
parts  of  the  world  want,  is  it  not  in  other  things  supplied  ; 
that  every  country  hath  almost  some  peculiar  advantages  ? 
It  is  known,  how  the  coldest  places  of  the  earth,  do  most 
abound^  with  the  warmest  furs.  You  see  the  beasts  want 
not  their  table  :  and  is  not  the  lilly  well  clothed  ?  Doth 
the  grass  of  the  ground  want  its  use  ?  yea,  is  not  the  very 
colour  thereof  notably  suited  for  men's  eyes  ?  What  cause 
of  wonder  is  there  of  the  different  forms,  the  virtues  and 
variety  of  plants  !  You  see,  the  little  ants  have  their  maga- 
zine and  storehouse  ;  the  bees  want  not  some  order  and 
government  ;  yea,  no  human  skill  can  frame  such  work  as 
theirs  is.  But,  Oman  !  what  a  curious  and  exquisite  fab- 
ric is  that  which  did  come  in  amongst  the  last  of  the  crea- 
tion, but  as  the  greatest  wonder  thereof,  a  most  rare  piece 
of  work,  of  a  strange,  various  and  subtile  composition,  in 
which  there  is  so  notable  an  harmony  made  up  of  many 
contraries  !  I  think,  those  who  would  learn  atheism,  are 
not  only  concerned  to  stifle  their  reason,  but  to  shut  their 
eyes  from  looking  on  themselves  and  the  frame  of  their 
bodies,  which  is  so  curiously  wrought  with  nerves,  sinews 
and  veins,  with  such  a  variety  of  parts,  and  yet  not  one 
bone  or  muscle  superfluous. 

THE    FOURTH      ARGUMENT 

I  SHALL  here  offer  to  prove  the  scripture's  accom- 
plishment, is  this,  That  whereof  the  most  part,  as  to  those 
special  predictions  and  promises  that  concern  the  church,  is 
fulfilled,  and  hath  now  taken  place  in  their  appointed  times, 
which  we  may  at  this  day  clearly  read  in  the  event,  and 
but  a  little  part  thereof  now  remaineth  to  be  made  out,  must 
he  a  sure  truth.  But  the  scripture  is  thus  fulfilled,  and  the 
prophecies  thereof  now  made  legible  in  the  history  of  prov- 
idence, and  in  the  works  of  God  about  his  church; 
Therefore,  fcfc. 


228  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

I  would  premise  here  some  few  things,  ere  I  speak  par- 
ticularly to  this  argument. 

1.  Though  the  scripture  is  thus  wonderfully  suited  by 
the  Lord,  and  taketh  place  in  every  generation,  as  if  it 
were  alone  directed  to  that  time  ;  yet  it  is  also  clear,  that 
a  special  part  thereof  hath  its  proper  accomplishment  in 
those  ages  and  periods  of  time,  to  which  it  doth  in  a  pecu- 
liar way  relate :  some  part  of  it,  which  did  concern  the 
times  of  the  Old  Test  amenta  some  that  doth  also  answer  to 
the  times  of  the  gospel,  and  a  part  of  it  which  hath  a  pecu- 
liar respect  to  these  latter  days,  which  the  Lord  is  now 
bringing  forth,  and  we  wait  for  a  more  fall  accomplish- 
ment, that  it  is  on  a  near  approach. 

2.  It  is  also  sure,  that  the  whole  work  of  God,  and  his 
providence  about  his  church  here  in  the  world,  which  was 
perfect  from  the  beginning,  and  before  him  from  eternity, 
is  comprehended  under  the  written  word:  where  the  Lord 
hath  fully  revealed  his  mind  and  counsel  about  every  event 
and  concernment  of  the  church  ;  though  we  oft  be  in  the 
dark,  in  finding  out  the  same,  but  the  event  will  in  clue 
time  speak  for  itself,  which  should  cause  us  until  then 
with  much  sobriety  to  pass  our  judgment  on  some  of  those 
truths,  that  are  not  yet  fulfilled. 

3.  It  is  clear,  that  the  prophets  of  old  did  not  only  fore- 
tel  such  great  changes  and  revolutions,  as  were  to  go  over 
the  church's  head,  and  declare  the  certainty  thereof,  but 
we  find  these  prophecies  oft  point  at  the  times  and  periods 
of  time,  whereto  they  did  relate  ;  and  though  sometimes 
in  dark  terms,  yet  did  clearly  shew  that  there  was  a  certain 
prefixed  time,  and  net  at  every  time  could  they  have  their 
performance. 

4.  We  should  consider  how  the  full  accomplishing  of 
the  scripture,  and  the  perfecting  the  Lord's  work  about  his 
church,  will  be  at  once,  and  doth  keep  pace  together,  and 
then  shall  a /////and  satisfying  discovery  of  God's  way  and 
providence  and  all  that  he  hath  been  doing  in  the  world, 
clearly  break  forth,  when  the  great  mystery  of  God  in  his 
written  wordis  finished,  and  the  church  so  near  to  land. 

That  I  may  speak  a  little  to  so  grave  a  subject,  I  would 
lay  down  these  two  things  to  be  considered  : 

1.  How  much  cf  the  scripture,  and  predictions  thereof, 
may  be;wzu  seen  clearly  verified 'in  the  event. 

2.  What  doth  yet  remain  to  have  an  accomplishment  in 
these  last  times ;  by  which  we  may  certainly  judge,  how 
near  the  Lord's  work  about  his  church  is  to  a  close.  Un- 
der the  first  I  shall  point  at  some  of  those  most  interesting 
events  and  changes,  which  the   church   hath   met  with, 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  229 

wherein  we  may  see  what  of  the  scripture  may  at  this  day 
be  read  in  the  history  of  providence,  and  is  certainly  ful- 
filled. 

The  first  thing  to  be  considered,  is,  What  is  already  ac- 
complished. 

I.  Let  us  go  back  to  those  first  times  after  the  fall ;  and 
see  that  dreadful  stroke,  which  came  upon  the  old  world  by 
the  flood,  after  an  universal  defection  from  God,  and  we 
shall  there  find  the  fulfilling  of  that  which  Noah,  that  great 
preacher  of  righteousness,  had  oft  foretold,  and  of  those 
threatenings  which  by  Moses  were  there  recorded  :  where- 
in it  may  be  very  manifest,  (1.)  That  this  truth,  besides 
divine  authority,  no  records  of  ancient  times  (no  antiquity) 
could  ever  contradict  ;  yea,  some  of  the  eldest  writers  do 
clearly  witness  something  of  an  universal  deluge  over  the 
earth,  with  the  strange  preservation  of  some  from  it.  how- 
ever they  were  in  the  dark  as  to  many  circumstances  of  it. 
Josephus  doth  cite  Berosus  the  Chaldean  about  this,  who 
without  doubt  had  then  some  of  those  oldest  records  true 
and  uncorrupt.  Euscbius  also  doth  mention  some  frag- 
ments of  Abidenus,  and  Appolidprus,  which  in  his  time 
were  extant,  clearly  pointing  at  the  flood,  and  ?\Noah  un- 
der the  name  of  Ziuthrus,  with  his  sending  out  of  birds 
to  see  if  the  waters  were  asswaged.  (2.)  There  is  nothing 
here  doth  contradict  reason,  how  this  might  be  brought  about, 
even  in  the  way  of  ordinary  natural  causes,  which  the  Lord 
did  make  use  of  for  that  end.  For  we  find,  the  windows  of 
heaven  were  opened,  the  air  being  condensed  into  clouds, 
and  their  retentive  power  loosed,  these  great  floodgates 
were  thus  set  open  ;  which  falling  not  in  drops  but  all  in  a 
full  body,  like  the  spouts  and  cataracts  of  the  West  Indies, 
might  soon  overwhelm  the  earth  with  abundance  of  water  : 
while  those ■fountains  also  of  the  great  deep  beneath  were 
broken  up,  which  was  not  only  the  ocean  let  forth  to  go 
over  its  banks,  but  an  universal  vent  to  all  the  veins  of  the 
earth,  and  that  great  mass  of  waters  which  is  in  the  bowels 
thereof,  which  from  beneath  meeting  those  that  were  from 
above,  may  give  men  a  clear  and  nltional  account  how  such 
a  thing  might  be.  (3.)  This  piece  of  the  scripture  is  most 
congruous  and  agreeable  to  the  whole,  and  the  great  scope 
and  drift  of  the  same.  For  it  points  out  an  universal  defec- 
tion, and  an  universal  stroke  meeting  together  :  it  leads  us 
forward  to  Christ,  oli  whom  the<7r£was  anexcellent  shadow, 
and  of  that  salvation  which  in  and  by  him  the  church  hath 
from  eternal  wrath  :  and  is  a  very  manifest  pledge  and 
sign  of  that  last  destruction  of  the  world,  which  though 
not  in  that  manner,  yet  shall  once  surely  be,  and  find  men 


230  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

\\\  such  a  condition,  as  this  flood  found  them  into  in  the 
days  of  Noah. 

II.  What  we  find  expressly  threatened  by  the  Lord, 
{Gen.  xi.  7.)  as  a  stroke  and  judgment  upon  men  for  their 
ambition  and  pride,  The  confounding  of  their  languages,  is 
it  not  also  most  clearly  verified  and  writ  forth  to  the  view 
of  the  world  in  the  event  ?  that  whilst  men  cannot  deny  or 
debate  a  thing  which  is  so  conspicuous  and  undeniable, 
they  must  also  see  a  fulfilling  of  the  scripture,  and  that  there 
was  a  divine  hand  in  this  strange  stroke  ;  which  may  be  a 
convincing  refutation  of  atheism,  if  such  do  not  willingly 
shut  their  eyes  at  these  clear  evidences,  (t.)  That  it  is 
sure,  there  is  such  a  confusion  and  variety  of  languages  in 
the  earth  at  this  day  ;  whence  it  is  divided,  one  part  there r 
of  so  much  rent  from  another,  commerce  and  correspond- 
ence thus  made  difficult,  and  a  bar  drawn  betwixt  nations, 
by  a  different  speech.  And  do  not  the  most  ancient  records 
of  the  world  witness  the  same  to  have  been  in  former  ages  ? 
(2.)  It  is  also  sure,  that  no  tradition  or  human  history,  but 
the  scripture  only,  gives  us  an  account  of  this  strange  thing 
how  it  should  be,  or  whence  its  true  rise  is  ;  yea,  those 
who  have  writ  most  of  other  things,  yet  can  give  no  reason 
why  they  write  in  one  language  more  than  in  another,  but 
that  it  is  proper  to  their  country,  where  they  had  their  edu- 
cation. ^  But  how  the  race  of  men,  who  have  such  a  com- 
munity in  other  things,  should  be  thus  divided,  is  indeed  a 
mystery,  which  divine  truth  can  only  unveil  and  shew  its 
meaning.  (3.)  It  is  sure,  there  is  no  language  one  more 
than  another,  that  is  natural  to  men,  but  what  ex  institutio 
is  acquired,  whether  by  long  continued  use  as  children  cloth 
their  mother  tongue,  or  by  set  rules.  It  is  true,  Adam  who 
was  the  first  man,  had  his  by  some  extraordinary  infusion  : 
but  it  is  found  a  pitiful  fancy  alleged  by  some,  that  young 
children,  who  have  never  heard  speech,  and  have  been  thus 
kept  at  a  distance,  would  speak  the  first  language  of  the 
world,  and  consequently  Hebrew  ;  for  the  contrary  of  this 
is  certainly  proved.  (4.)  Is  not  this  confusion  and  diver- 
sity of  languages,  which  is  in  the  world,  a  most  strange  and 
marvellous  thing,  which  in  no  ordinary  way,  yea,  not  with- 
out something  of  a  miracle,  could  be  brought  about,  and 
to  no  continuance  of  time  or  invention  of  men  can  be  at- 
tributed, if  we  comider  these  things.  (1.)  It  is  clear,  that 
if  man  can  be  traced  back  to  some  original  and  beginning, 
there  must  then  have  been  some  one  language,  whilst  the 
world  was  but  in  a  family  ;  so  that  if  you  will  admit  the 
truth  of  the  creation,  you  may  see  it  was  not  so  at  the  be- 
ginning.    (2.)  Is  it  not  undeniable,  that  men  could  not 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  231 

choose  so  great  a  plague  and  judgment  on  themselves,  if  they 
had  any  use  of  reason  ?  which  would  divide  betwixt  them 
and  the  greater  part  of  mankind,  hinder  trade  and  mutual 
interchange  with  other  countries,  either  in  exporting  or 
importing  most  necessary  commodities  ;  that  which  also 
would  "obstruct  human  knowledge,  and  the  discovery  of 
those  excellent  inventions  and  experiments  of  other  places  ; 
yea,  give  man,  whose  days  are  so  few,  such  a  sore  toil  and 
labour  to  acquire  but  a  few  of  those  many  different  lan- 
guages, which  are  in  the  world.  (3.)  Is  it  not  also  clear, 
that  this  is  above  human  reach,  which  men  cannot  judge, 
how  in  an  ordinary  way  such  different  languages  could  have 
been  found  out,  and  afterwards  acquired  by  the  body  of 
nations,  yea,  how  there  should  be  such  an  agreement  in 
this  amongst  a  vast  multitude  of  different  tempers  and  ca- 
pacities. For  it  is  obvious,  there  should  have  then  been 
an  inventing  of  those  first  radical  languages  ;  I  mean  these 
that  are  not  dependent  upon,  or  interwoven  one  with  an- 
other, but  are  wholly  different  as  Greek,  Latin,  &c.  And 
therewith  such  a  vast  Dictionary,  of  words  with  their  sig- 
nifications, and  rules  to  enjoin  them  in  sentences,  must 
have  necessarily  been  framed,  and  abandoning  also  and 
turning  off  of  some  former  language,  so  far  as  to  the  bring- 
ing of  it  in  oblivion  :  yea,  would  the  universal  consent  and 
concurrence  of  the  multitude  in  such  places  be  required  ? 
I  confess,  this  were  not  so  strange,  if  such  a  difference  be- 
twixt languages  were  but  in  some  peculiar  mode  or  pro- 
priety of  phrases,  and  alteration  of  words  according  to  the 
various  tempers,  and  climates  of  the  earth  :  but  we  may 
see  what  different  languages  there  are,  wholly  independent 
on  one  another,  not  only  in  original  words,  but  in  the  very 
whole  frame  and  bulk,  which  can  be  no  compound  of  other 
languages,  as  many  of  our  modern  tongues  are,  which  does 
truly  state  the  case  in  such  a  manner,  that  the  scripture 
only  can  resolve  how  this  should  be  ;  yea,  it  is  known,  be- 
sides many  branches,  commixtures  and  variations  of  lan- 
guages, which  through  continuance  of  time,  through  con- 
quest and  mingling  of  nations  together,  are  in  the  world, 
there  is  also  a  vast  number  of  those  that  may  be  on  clearest 
ground  judged  original  and  mother  tongues,  of  which 
whatever  lesser  variation  there  hath  been  by  the  adding 
of  some  new  words,  or  the  quitting  of  eld,  yet  the  whole 
bulk  does  remain  entire.  (4.)  What  a  strange  and  mar- 
vellous thing  must  this  be,  if  we  consider  that  most  of  an- 
cient maternal  languages  were  previous  to  the  use  of  letters, 
whence  rules  or  a  method  could  be  conveyed  from  one  to 
another,  if  it  had  been  only  some  human  invention  ?  For 


232  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

we  may  know  from  surest  antiquity,  how  long  it  was  ere 
several  nations  reached  a  further  way  to  communicate 
knowledge,  and  represent  their  conceptions,  than  by  speech 
and  a  vocal  tradition,  or  some  significant  symbols  or  hiero- 
glyphics, which  were  then  much  in  use  to  supply  the  want 
of  letters.  Is  it  not  known  how  little  either  by  pen  or  print- 
ing hath  been  discovered  to  the  world,  but  of  such  late  time, 
as  is  from  clearest  histories  written  to  us  ?  Thence  we  find 
very  little  of  the  Greek  language  upon  record  before  Ho- 
mer's  time.  Now  may  not  this  clearly  demonstrate,  that  in 
an  ordinary  way  these  languages  could  not  then  have  been 
acquired  ?  (5.)  It  may  be  very  convincing,  what  the  scrip- 
ture about  this  holds  forth,  that  by  these  "different  languag- 
es, nations  and  families  were  at  first  divided.  Gen.  xi.  yea, 
that  this  was  the  first  rise  of  bounding  one  of  them  from 
another,  for  which  the  world  could  never  give  another 
cause.  Thus  did  the  Lord  inclose  his  church  in  Israel ; 
and  by  this  diversity  of  languages  did  outlaw  the  rest  of  the 
earth  ;  for  there  was  that  venerable  first  language  of  the 
Hebrew  kept  up,  by  which  these  sacred  oracles  of  the  Old 
Testament  were  made  known.  ^  I  shall  further  add,  Is  not 
a  divine  hand  eminently  seen  in  this  ?  that  so  great  a  bar, 
which  for  so  long  a  time  was  betwixt  the  church  and  the 
world,  should  nut  only  at  last  be  taken  off,  but  such  a  curse 
turned  into  a  blessing  ;  that  the  po\yer  of  God  and  his  very 
immediate  work  in  spreading  the  light  amongst  so  many 
people  of  a  strange  language,  might  now  under  the  gospel 
be  more  conspicuous,  that  once  such  an  interdiction  hath 
been  served  on  the  world  thereby,  to  shut  the  nations  out 
from  the  church  :  for  we  may  say,  there  hath  been  as  sig- 
nal a  miracle  in  the  gift  of  tongues  under  the  New  Testa- 
ment, as  there  was  formerly  in  the  confusion  thereof. 

III.  What  we  have  expressly  promised  in  the  word  of 
the  church's  delivery  from  Egypt,  and  was  foretold  by 
Joseph  at  his  death,  that  God  would  surely  bring  back  his 
people  out  of  that  land,  for  which  he  left  his  bones  to  lie 
unburied  as  a  pledge  thereof,  hath  now  many  ages  past 
been  fulfilled.  It  is  long  since  that  remarkable  day,  when 
God  made  a  way  for  his  people  through  the  Red  sea,  and 
his  power  known  upon  Pharaoh,  and  the  Egyptians  ; 
since  Moses  with  the  church  did  sing  that  triumphant  song, 
The  horse  and  his  rider,  he  hath  cast  in  the  sea.  Wherein 
these  things  are  most  clear, 

].  That  this  was  a  deed  .known  and  public  in  the  lime  ; 
winch  was  not  done  in  a  corner,  but  in  the  view  of  the 
world,  and  before  all  the  children  of  Israel,  and  by  them 
attested,  and  with  greatest  carefulness  transmitted  to  their 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  233 

children,  and  by  these  to  the  following  generations,  as  a 
thing  never  to  be  forgotten. 

2.  Was  testified  by  Moses^  so  great  a  person,  and  eye 
witness  thereof ;  one  whom  even  the  most  ancient  of  hea- 
then writers  do  mention  with  much  respect,  and  in  this 
did  never  challenge  his  testimony,  though  a  matter  of  fact, 
and  of  that  moment,  which  all  the  nations  about  could  not 
but  know,  and  both  in  the  present  and  after  ages  have  the 
remembrance  thereof  kept  up  ;  so  that  they  might  easily 
refute  such  a  thing,  if  false.  And  we  may  judge,  the 
Egyptians  and  many  others  could  want  no  good  will  to  put 
disgrace  on  a  people,  they  so  much  hated,  nor  be  ignorant 
of  that  which  Moses  published  in  his  own  time  ;  to  whose 
works  some  of  the  most  ancient  heathen  writers  do  shew 
they  have  been  no  strangers. 

3.  A  truth,  which  by  Moses  was  put  in  record,  and  this 
delivered  to  the  Jewstobe  kept  by  them  and  their  children 
in  all  succeeding  ages  ;  a  record,  which  they  did  so  nar- 
rowly look  to,  and  had  in  that  reverence  and  esteem,  that 
all  the  syllables  and  letters  thereof  were  by  them  number edy 
lest  in  the  smallest  point  it  should  be  wronged  ;  yea,  were 
more  careful  to  preserve  it  than  any  nation  can  be  of  their 
most  ineresting  rights,  and  charters. 

4.  A  thing,  whereof  the  remembrance  was  yearly  from 
that  time  celebrated  by  the  Jewish  church  :  whence  the  in- 
stitution of  the  passover  had  its  rise  ;  that  deliverance  being 
as  a  sign  and  sacramental  pledge  of  that  great  salvation  by 
him  who  is  our  true  passover. 

IV.  What  is  held  forth  in  the  scripture  concerning  we 
more  full  growth  of  the  Jewish  church  ;  that  Judah  should 
enjoy  a  sceptre,  which  was  foretold  by  dying  Jacob  ;  and 
promised  once  and  again  to  Abraham  by  the  Lord,  that 
his  seed  should  be  as  the  sand  of  the  sea,  and  enjoy  Canaan 
for  an  inheritance  :  hath  it  not  long  since  been  fulfilled  I 
Wherein  these  things  are  clear, 

1.  That  for  many  ages  Israel  did  enjoy  that  land  in  a 
most  flourishing  condition  ;  which  doth  in  part  appear 
from  those  very  ruins  and  desolations,  over  which  they 
have  so  long  lamented,  the  glory  of  Jerusalem,  and  the 
temple  once  so  famous,  which  causeth  such  reverence 
amongst  them  to  the  very  rubbish  thereof  at  this  day. 

2.  That  they  were  once  a  people  by  themselves,  who  were 
not^  mingled  with  the  nations  but  kept  at  a  distance,  by 
their  religion  and  laws,  from  the  rest  of  the  worlci,  as  a  pe± 
cuUarhcopk  to  the  Lord  is  a  thing  undeniable. 

3.  That  whilst  they  enjoyed  it,  there  was  a  singular 
blessing  o$  frui  tf nines  s  thereon  above  other  places  ;  so  as 

F  F 


234  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scriptufi. 

that  small  piece  of  ground  was  enough  for  an  innumerable 
multitude  of  inhabitants  ;  but  the  same  is  now  at  this  day 
a  barren  land,  an  extraordinary  curse  no  less  seen  thereon, 
than  the  blessing  was  in  former  times. 

4.  It  is  also  evident,  that  something  in  the  way,  and  car- 
riage of  this  people  y  even  in  their  low  wandering  condition, 
doth  discover  they  have  not  forgot  what  once  they  were,  nor 
their  former  grandeur  and  flourishing,  but  still  keep  by 
ihemsehes,  with  some  respect  to  their  own  land,  which 
their  fathers  did  enjoy. 

V.  That  piece  of  the  scripture,  which  did  concern  the 
declining  times  of  the  church  under  the  Old  Testament,  what 
Jeremiah  foretold  of  the  Babylonish  captivity,  hath  now 
many  ages  since  been  fulfilled  :  a  truth,  which  we  have  at- 
tested by  sacred  history,  an  history  which  doth  clearly  jus- 
tify itself  and  its  authority  by  such  convincing  marks  there- 
of, that  we  may  say  those  who  do  seriously  converse  with 
the  word,  cannot  take  up  atheism  without  the  laying 
down  of  reason,  and  putting  a  force  upon  their  own  light. 

Now  as  to  this  particular  prophecy  we  would  but  seri- 
ously consider, 

1.  That  which  Jeremiah  did  foretell  about  the  captivity, 
was  not  its  accomplishment  put  on  record  in  a  book  of  the 
churches  lamentations  ?  Where  this  truth  may  be  read#  in 
her  tears  ;  and  truly  such  as  ever  knew  grief  in  a  high 
measure,  may  easily  know  what  is  there  expressed,  to  be 
sad  earnest,  and  read  the  lively  motions  of  an  afflicted  case 
herein.  And  besides  hath  not  this  been  witnessed  to  after 
ages  by  a  visible  monument,  even  the  destruction  of  the 
temple,  that  great  and^  excellent  work,  which  though  after 
rebuilt  did  never  attain  its  former  splendor. 

2.  This  was  a  matter  of  fact  of  great  note,  and  famous  in 
the  time,  done  in  the  view  of  all  the  nations,  a  considerable 
piece  of  the  Babylonish  conquest ;  yea,  that  testimony  the 
scripture  beareth  to  the  same,  was  it  not  a  few  ages  after 
made  public  toother  parts  of  the  world  by  the  Septuagint 
translation,  so  that  it  had  been  easy  for  Ptolemy  or  any  in 
that  time  to  have  discovered  the  falsehood  of  a  thing  so 
lately  done  :  yet,  those  times,  nor  the  most  professed  ene- 
mies to  the  church  therein,  could  not  in  the  least  contra- 
diet  the  same. 

3.  Though  mi: eh  of  hutnatt history ,  and  those  records 
of  ancient  times  that  we  now  have,  are  both  corrupt  and 
defective,  yet  there  wants  not  some  consent,  from  the  surest 
of  these,  to  many  of  the  most  observable  things  that  we  have 
of  the  history  of  the  Old  Testament  ;  and  as  to  the  certain- 
ty of  this  truth,   besides  its  own  authority,  we  shall  find 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  23  5 

some  of  these  oldest  writers,  Berosus,  Herodot,  and  Xeno- 
phon,  give  some  light  to  the  same,  whose  witness  the  athe- 
ist cannot  challenge  ;  yea,  is  it  not  clear  that  fosephus, 
not  only  from  sacred  history,  but  from  these  old  records 
and  fragments  of  former  times,  which  were  then  extant 
(though  since  have  been  much  lost)  composed  his  Jew- 
ish antiquities,  which  give  so  particular  a  relation  of  this 
truth. 

VI.  What  was  foretold  by  Daniel  concerning  the  rise 
a?idfall  of  the  monarchies,  and  change  of  those  great  em- 
pires, which  had  been  so  sore  a  rod  upon  the  church,  hath 
it  not  many  ages  past  had  a  most  punctual  performance  ? 
It  is  now  long  since  that  great  image  shewed  to  the  prophet 
in  a  vision,  hath  been  brought  down  and  broken,  so  that 
scarce  the  toes  thereof  do  now  remain  :  which,  besides  the 
scripture,  may  be  clearly  demonstrated  upon  other  rational 
grounds. 

1.  Its  being  granted,  that  the  prophecy  of  Daniel  was 
translated  in  Greek,  and  laid  upin  that  great  library  of 
Alexandria,  long  before  much  of  it  was  fulfilled,  .  bt  fore' 
Antiochus  Epiphanes,  and  the  rising  of  the  Roman  empire, 
of  which  Porphyrius  could  not  be  ignorant,  though  all  he 
could  answtr  to  that  evident  agreement  betwixt  his  proph- 
ecy and  the  event  was,  that  it  must  have  been  writ  after 
these  things  were  accomplished  ;  whilst  it  is  clear,  that  a 
part  of  the  prophecy  of  Daniel,  which  concerned  the  fourth 
monarchy,  was  not  even  in  his  times  fully  made  out,  yea, 
we  must  say,  something  thereof  doth  reach  to  the  last  end 
'of  time. 

2.  It  is  also  undeniable,  that  in  these  great  revolutions  of 
the  monarchies  there  is  a  discernible  consent  and  harmony 
betwixt  the  scripture,  and  these  ancient  records,  which  we 
yet  have  of  those  times  :  so  that  not  only  the  things  them- 
selves, but  some  of  the  most  observable  circumstances 
thereof,  which  are  particularly  mentioned  by  Daniel,  we 
may  read  in  Xenophon,  Herodot,  and  Diodorus  Siculus. 

3.  It  must  also  be  granted,  that  some  things  which  in 
DaniePs  prophecy  would  seem  most  strange  and  improba- 
ble, such  asBelshazzar's  death  in  that  very  night  the  hand 
writing  was  shewed  to  him,  may  be  particularly  under- 
stood in  Xenophon' s  history  ;  how  Cyrus  took  the  advan- 
tage of  the  Babylonian  security,  whilst  they  were  in  the 
midst  of  a  solemn  feast,  and  by  diverting  the  channel  of 
Euphrates  did  enter  the  city  without  opposition  ;  also  how 
that  great  horn  of  the  high  goat  was  so  suddenly  broken, 
and  the  coming  up  of  four  in  his  room,  which  by  Daniel 
are  expounded  of  the  Grecian  monarchy,  and  the  dividing 


236  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

of  that  empire  after  Alexander's  death,  is  it  not  punctually 
held  forth  by  all  the  histories  of  that  time  ? 

4.  Was  there  not  a  very  convincing  appearance  of  a  divine 
hand,  both  in  the  rise  and  fall  of  these  monarchies,  and  an 
extraordinary  providence  which  we  cannot  but  see,  when 
we  read  these  histories,  that  surely  something  above  ordi- 
nary means  and  second  causes  was  both  in  Cyrus''  con- 
quest over  the  Babylonians,  and  the  marvellous  swift 
progress  and  success  of  Alexander  against  the  Persians. 

VII.  That  which  was  the  great  scope  of  all  prophecies 
under  the  Old  Testament,  the  coming  of  the  Messias,  is 
surely  verified,  and  now  many  ages  past  hath  had  an  ac- 
complishment. The  Lord  is  come  unto  his  temple,  even  he 
whose  day  Abraham  and  the  saints  under  the  law  did  long 
after  :  this  was  the  most  happy  and  notable  crisis,  that 
ever  the  church  was  under,  the  great  epocha  and  period  of 
time,  from  which  she  doth  now  reckon.  We  know,  this 
is  no  fable,  or  cunning  device  of  man,  that  God  was  mani- 
fested in  the  flesh,  did  make  his  abode  for  some  time  in  the 
earth,  suffered  at  Jerusalem  in  the  view  of  the  world,  be- 
fore many  witnesses,  did  arise  from  death  on  the  third 
day ,  was  seen  and  known  by  his  disciples  thereafter,  and 
having  finished  the  work  for  which  he  came,  was  received 
up  again  into  glory. 

This  is  indeed  a  great  truth,  which  concerneth  us  no  less 
to  know,  and  be  sure  of,  than  our  soul  is  worth,  and  our 
interest  through  eternity  :  the  fulfilling  whereof,  besides 
the  authority  of  sacred  writ,  the  witness  and  records  of  the 
evangelists  and  apostles  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  testify  what 
they  certainly  knew,  is  a  truth  which  from  such  convincing 
rational  grounds  may  be  demonstrated,  that  the  greatest 
height  of  atheism  knoweth  not  how  to  state  itself  in  a  di- 
rect opposition  to  the  same.  And  truly  in  this,  we  may 
§ay,  the  Lord  hath  so  tendered  the  strengthening  of  his 
people's  faith  and  their  encouragement,  that  as  it  is  the 
most  interesting  piomiseof  the  scripture,  on  which  our 
whole  hope  and  blessedness  depends,  so  is  it  also  most 
clear  and  conspicuous  in  the  event.  1  shall  but  only  touch 
this,  whereof  so  much  hath  been  said  by  others. 

1.  It  is  undeniable,  the  Messias  was  to  come  ;  to  whom 
all  the  sacrifices  under  the  law,  those  ancient  types  and 
shadows,  did  clearly  point  :  to  whom  the  prophets  bear 
witness ;  and  it  was  the  faith  of  the  ancient  Jewish  church, 
of  which  promise  they  were  persuaded,  even  whilst  they 
saw  it  but  afar  oft',  yea,  did  embrace  it  and  repose  them- 
selves thereon.  And  is  there  not  a  most  clear  and  exact 
portrait  drawn  forth  under   the    Old  Testament,  of  the 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  237 

Mcssias  ;  what  an  one  he  should  be,  and  by  what  pecu- 
liar characters  he  should  be  known,  who  was  to  be  reveal- 
ed  to  Israel  ? 

2.  The  special  season,  and  period  of  time,  wherein 
Christ  should  come,  we  find  prefixed  and  shewed^  to  the 
ancient  church  ;  which,  though  under  some  figurative  ex- 
pressions seemed  then  dark,  yet  was  so  far  revealed,  that 
upon  a  diligent  search  and  inquiry,  and  particular  colla- 
tion of  the  times,  it  might  be  easy  to  discern  the  Messiahs 
coming  and  near  approach.  Of  which  salvation  the  proph- 
ets did  inquire,  1  Pet.  i.  10.  And  truly  the  fall  of  the 
monarchies,  and  right  understanding  of  Daniel's  weeks, 
were  sure  and  solid  grounds  for  a  clear  computation. 
Thence  was  it,  that  so  general  an  expectation  of  the  Mcs- 
sias  was  among  the  Jews,  at  that  very  time  when  lie  came  ; 
so  as  divers  impostors  did  arise,  whom  the  people  were 
ready  to  follow  ;  and  we  see  with  what  amazement  the 
Pharisees  did  incjuire  at  John  the  Baptist,  //  he  were  the 
Christ,  or  not  ;  yea,  Josephus  sheweth  how  the  persuasion 
of  this  did  most  excite  that  people  to  war  with  the  Romans 
from  the  prophecies  they  had  in  holy  writ,  that  from  Judea 
should  about  that  time  come  he  who  was  to  be  emperor  of 
the  world. 

3.  It  is  also  sure,  there  was  such  an  one,  who  in  the  days 
of  Tiberius,  and  under  the  reign  of  Herod,  was  made  man- 
ifest to  Israel:  and  came  with  no  outward  shew  and  ob- 
servation, but  did  great  and  marvellous  things  before  ail 
the  people  ;  was  crucified  at  Jerusalem,  under^  Pontius, 
Pilate ;  and  notwithstanding  the  ignominy  of  his  death, 
was  after  adored,  and  followed,  both  by  many  of  the  Jews 
and  the  Gentiles  ;  whose  doctrine  did  also  in  short  time 
spread  through  the  world  :  a  truth,  which  the  greatest  ad- 
versaries of  the  gospel  have  ever  confessed,  and  do  attest 
the  history  thereof,  de  facto,  to  be  a  faithful  relation.  Not 
only  Jews,  but  the  heathen  writers,  Suetonius,  Tacitus,  and 
Plinius  the  younger,  that  lived  near,  and  some  of  them 
contemporary  with  the  times  of  the  apostles,  do  witness 
that  this  Jesus,  whom  the  christians  worship,  did  truly 
suffer  in  the  time  of  Pilate's  jurisdiction  over  the  Jews. 

4.  Is  it  not  clear,  how  this  appearance  of  Christ  to  the 
world  did  exactly  fall  in  with  the  very  time,  foretold  by  the 
prophets  therefor  ?  Was  not  Jacob's  prophecy  thus  ac- 
complished ?  For  until  that  time  it  is  clear  the  royal  line  of 
David's  house  did  not  cease,  until  Herod  a  stranger  came 
to  reign,  by  whom  it  was  utterly  cut  off.  And  it  is  mani- 
fest, those  seventy  weeks  mentioned  by  Daniel,  must  be 
understood  of  years;  else  they  could  admit  no  other  sense  : 


23  8  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

which  reckoning  from  the  decree  given  out  by  Cyrus,  to 
rebuild  the  temple,  are  490  years,  and  doth  answer  to  the 
very  time  of  Christ  being  in  the  world,  and  hisdeatn,  which 
necessarily  falls  in  the  last  of  these  weeks,  a  thing  so  man- 
ifest,  that  Porphyrins,  an  avowed  enemy  to  the  christian 
religion,  could  have  no  answer,  but  that  this  prophecy  had 
been  devised  after  the  event  :  which  I  am  sure,  the  Jews, 
though  as  direct  adversaries  would  be  loath  to  admit. 

5.  It  is  most  clear,  that  in  him,  who  at  that  time  was  re- 
vealed to  Israel,  and  whom  the  christian  church  doth  this 
day  worship,  was  exactly  accomplished  whatever  was  by 
the  prophets  told  concerning  the  Messias.  And  it  is  no 
small  advantage  for  the  christian  cause,  that  it  needs  but 
appeal  to  those  records,  which  have  been  kept  in  the  hands 
of  her  adversaries,  where  there  is  so  clear  a  portrait  of 
him  held  forth,  as  to  his  person,  his  way  of  coming,  the 
place  whence,  the  entertainment  he  should  have,  and  his 
death,  that  I  must  think  it  a  contradiction  to  reason,  men 
should  acknowledge  the  Old  Testament,  and  not  grant  the 
New  ;  since  it  is  clear,  the  Jews,  look  for  no  other  Mes- 
sias, than  such  an  one  as  is  held  out  by  the  prophets,  and 
they  acknowledge  also  the  divine  authority  of  Isaiah, 
Daniel,  Micah,  Malachi,  fcfc.  who  do  by  such  clear  marks 
point  him  forth,  and  shew  the  church  how  they  should 
know  him  when  he  cometh.  For  truly  it  may  thence  ap- 
pear, that  it  is  not  more  certain,  the  Messias  should  come, 
than  that  Jesus  Christ  is  he.  I  would  but  seriously  ask, 
what  do  the  Jews  this  day  miss  in  our  blessed  Lord  Jesus, 
which  the  Old  Testament  alloweth  them  to  expect  in  the 
Messias  !  Is  it  that  he  came  not  with  outward  shew  and 
glory  ?  Sure,  according  to  the  scripture,  such  an  one  we 
ought  not  to  acknowledge  ;  no,  should  lie  not  be  the  seed 
of  the  woman  fGen.  ii.)  who  should  be  born  of  a  virgin,  as 
Isaiah  sheweth  ;  his  voice  not  heard  in  the  streets  ;  despis- 
ed and  rejected  of  men,  a  man  of  sorrows?  Such  an  one, 
as  was  shadowea  out  under  the  law,  who  should  be  made 
a  sacrifice  for  sin  ;  yea,  come  with  no  outward  pomp,  but 
meek  and  lowly,  and  riding  upon  an  ass,  was  to  be  betray- 
ed, and  sold  (and  his  price  shewed  by  ZacheriahJ  for  thirty 
pieces  ;  a  crucified  dying  Christ,  that  should  be  wound- 
ed  in  the  house  of  his  friends,  and  cut  off  from  amongst  the 
children  of  his  people  I  O  !  can  men  possibly  deny  so  clear 
an  accomplishment  of  these  in  our  blessed  Lord  ? 

6.  Is  it  not  undeniable,  that  the  Jews  now,  in  their  pres- 
ent case,  cannot  possibly  expect  the  accomplishment  of  this 
promise  ;  that  the  Messias  cannot  this  day  come,  accord- 
ing to  the  scripture,  except  they  could   be  put  in  such  a 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  239 

condition,  as  they  were  in  then  at  Christ's  coming  ?  Cer- 
tainly it  is  impossible,  that  the  Old  Testament  be  ever  ful- 
filled about  this,  if  it  be  not  already.  Can  he  come  forth 
out  of  Bethlehem  whilst  now  no  such  place  is  known  by 
that  name  ?  Can  he  come  into  his  temple,  that  is  utterly  de- 
stroj'ed  ?  Is  there  not  now  a  subversion  of  the  tribes,  and 
the  family  of  David  not  known  at  this  day  ?  Yea,  are  not 
the  Gentiles  brought  in,  whom  Isaiah  sheweth  should  be 
gathered  under  the  standard  of  the  Mess? as  ?  Doth  not  the 
daily  sacrifice  cease  f  which,  the  Jews  will  confess,  hath 
been  so  for  many  ages ;  and  this  was  to  be  after  his  coming. 
And  I  would  ask,  how  was  that  ever  fulfilled,  that  the  glory 
o) f  the  second  temple  should  exceed  the  glory  of  the  first  ? 
for  this  cannot  be  on  the  account  of  its  structure,  or  out- 
ward magnificence  ;  sure  there  is  nothing,  wherein  this 
glory  could  appear,  but  as  it  points  at  Christ,  and  the 
breaking  out  of  that  glorious  light,  which  was  before  its  de- 
struction. 

7.  There  is  an  innumerable  company,  who  have  em- 
braced the^  gospel,  and  received  the  spirit  by  the  ministry 
thereof,  since  the  times  of  the  apostles,  who  have  put  this 
seal  thereto  in  all  ages,  that  it  is  the  power  and  wisdom  of 
God.  And  truly  without  partial  respect  (which  the  con- 
sciences of  the  worst  of  men  have  been  forced  to  justify) 
it  may  be  said,  these  were  the  excellent  of  the  earth  in  their 
time  :  many  of  greatest  outward  parts  and  abilities,  whose 
moral  integrity  and  candour  was  beyond  question  even 
with  their  adversaries  ;  and  these  both  of  Jews  and  Gen- 
tiles, of  all  ranks  of  men,  of  all  nations  and  languages  ;  who 
not  only  by  a  naked  profession,  but  by  their  walk  and  suf- 
ferings did  shew  forth  the  power  and  virtue  of  a  crucified 
Christ  ;  yea,  shine  as  lights  whilst  they  were  in  the  world, 
to  the  conviction  of  spectators.  And  is  not  this  a  convinc- 
ing witness  to  the  truth  of  the  gospel,  which  its  enemies 
cannot  possibly  deny  ? 

8.  That  excellent  doctrine,  delivered  to  the  church  in  the 
New  Testament,  by  Christ  and  bis  apostles,  doth  it  not 
clearly  shew  whence  it  is,  and  witness  its  own  authority  ? 
For  here  we  may  see  a  manifest  agreement  betwixt  this 
and  the  doctrine  of  the  ancient  Jewish  church  ;  that  as  the 
five  books  of  Moses  hold  forth  the  sum  of  the  gospel,  the 
covenant  of  grace,  and  that  mystery  of  salvation  by  Christ, 
so  the  prophets  do  carry  it  on  with  further  clearness,  and 
the  evangelists  bring  it  forward  :  like  an  excellent  edifice 
that  is  founded  and  advanced  in  the  one,  but  perfected  in 
the  other  :  all  breathing  the  same  spirit,  with  a  convincing 
tendency  to  the  same  end.    So  that  we  may  say  the  old 


240  The  Fulfilling  of  toe  Scripture. 

Jews  under  the  law  were  in  effect  christians,  and  the  fol- 
lowers of  Christ  now  under  the  gospel  in  some  respect  are 
Jews  ;  being  one  in  the  substantiate  of  their  religion.  For 
it  is  clear,  that  poor  apostate  people  now  of  the  Jewish  na- 
tion hath  wholly  departed  from  their  own  doctrine,  and 
will  not  come  to  the  light,  that  they  may  be  judged  accord- 
ing to  the  Old  Testament.  Now  in  this  I  would  seriously 
attest  the  adversaries  of  the  gospel,  if paganism,  the  Turks' 
Alcoran,  or  Jewish  Talmud  hold  forth  any  such  doctrine 
or  rule  as  that  which  the  christian  religion  doth  !  such 
pure,  and  excellent  precepts,  to  restrain  the  inordinacy  of 
corrupt  affection,  backed  with  arguments  becoming  an 
immortal  soul  ;  a  doctrine  so  sincere,  solid,  and  rational, 
so  consistent  with  itself,  and  agreeable  to  the  true  scope 
and  drift  thereof,  which  holds  forth  the  most  exquisite  rule 
of  perfection,  for  men  to  press  after  ;  yea,  where  every 
page  and  line  breatheth  forth  holiness  towards  God,  and 
righteousness  and  humanity  towards  man  ! 

9.  I  shall  add,  those  clear  convincing  evidences  of  the 
truth  of  the  gospel,  which  did  attend  the  first  publishing 
thereof  were  so  manifest  and  undeniable  a  seal  from  the 
Lord,  as  may  force  the  greatest  atheist  to  silence.  For, 
(1.)  They  were  Jews  as  much  concerned  in  the  religion 
of  their  fathers  as  any,  who  did  first  publish  the  gospel ; 
none  more  zealous  according  to  the  law,  than  Paul  was  be- 
fore his  conversion  ;  none  also  could  challenge  their  driv- 
ing an  outward  interest  hereby,  since  persecution  and 
bonds,  yea,  greatest  hazard  was  that  which  they  must  ex- 
pect. (2.)  It  is  clear,  they  walked  by  no  rule  of  human 
policy,  nor  those  ordinary  ways  of  insinuation  which  the 
world  doth  use,  to  engage  men,  and  make  a  party  to  them- 
selves  :  but  did  deliver  the  truth,  truth  most  repugnant  to 
the  flesh  and  its  interests,  with  greatest  candour  and  sim- 
plicity, though  likewise  with  a  convincing  authority  and 
confidence  ;  yea,  came  with  a  message  to  the  world,  which 
had  no  other  convoy,  or  persuading  argument ,  but  the  evi- 
dence of  its  own  truth,  yet  withal  such  a  power  accompany  * 
ins  the  same*  before  which  men  could  not  stand.  (3.) 
What  is  published  concerning  Christ  by  the  evangelists, 
the  great  works  he  did,  his  dying  at  Jerusalem,  with  all 
the  stupendous  circumstances  thereof  and  signs  from  heav- 
en, was  nor  a  thing  done  in  a  comer,  but  in  the  public  view 
of  men,  which  in  those  days  was  most  known  and  famous : 
but  yet  there  cannot  be  produced  one  contradictory  testi- 
inony,  to  the  truth  of  theie  relations,  by  any  adversary  of 
1,  either  at  that  time,  or  since.  Sure  the  world 
wanted  no  malice,  and  these  great  things  were  early  pub- 


The  Fulfilling  of  t.be  Scripture*  241 

iished  by  the  evangelists  and  apostles,  whilst  much  of  that 

us  alive  ;  yet  it  is  clear,  though  in  a  matter  of 

xrnment,  which  made  then  so  great  a  noise,  and 

t  all  in  a  flame,  none  was 
found  cither  among  Jews  or  Gentiles,  who  could  or  durst 
put  forth  a  manifesto,  to  discover  the  least  cheat  or  false- 
hood in  those  things  attested  iu  the  history  of  the  gospel. 
V  er  different  par:  :  sects  did  break  out 

with  the  first  time  of  the  church,  to  oppose  the  truth  in 
er  things,  yet  in  this  they  had  consent,  that  he  "echo 

JeruSaUm  was  the  Mecsias,  and  Christ. 
Which  truly  diet  uitnessthe  clear  irresistible  manifesto- 
[)f  this  truth  in  those  times  ;  since,  if  there  could 
been  the  least  ground  to  challenge  any  imposture  cr 
I  in  tins  great  foundation  of  the  christian  faith,  it^  is 
more  than  probable,  those  bitter  contentions,  followed  with 
such  animosity  and  heat  and  irritation,  of  those  whom  the 
apostles  and  church  in  that  time  did  with  much  zeal  and 
sharpest  censures  pursue,  would  have  engaged  them  to  put 
all  the  disgrace  upon  the  trutii,  which  thej'  could,  if  they 
might  have  had  where  to  fasten  their  teeth.  I  would  fur- 
ther add,  that  even  the  arguments  and  objeaiens,  which 
the  adversaries  of  the  gospel^  could  ever  bring,  to  oppose 
the  same,  are  indeed  a  convincing  witness  and  confirma- 
tion, and  shew  how  tittle  they  could  any  way  say,  in  giv- 
ing their  malice  a  vent.  We  find  that  absurd  allegation  of 
the  Jews,  that  the  great  works  Christ  did  in  the  days  of 
were  by  stealing  the  name Jehovah  out  of  the. 
temple,  which  they  allege  he  sewed  up  in  his  thigh  : 
which  truly  needeth  no  further  refutation  but  the  reciting 
thereof.  And  here  they  are  even  forced  to  witness  the 
truth  of  those  relations  held  forth  by  the  evangelists  as  to 
the  matter  of  fact,  which  we  find  also  these  later  atheists, 
such  as  Vanninus,  Cardan,  &c.  dare  not  challenge  or  de- 
bate :  only  they  would  ascribe  these  great  works  which 
Christ  then  wrought,  to  the  influence  of  the  stars ;  a 
challenge  so  absurd,  that  needs  no  other  answer  but  to 
relate  it. 

VII  I.  We  have  that  remarkable  prophecy  of  the  incom- 
ing of  the  Gentile?,  a  truth  indeed  great  and  marvellous, 
which  is  expressly  held  forth  in  the  Old  Testament 
{Ts.  liv.  1,  2.  Is.  be.  3,  9)  is  a  thing  so  cleaily  now  written 
forth  in  t.  that  I  am  sure,  the  greatest  atheists  can 
have  no  shift  here  :  but  mast  own  that  in  this  strange  work 
of  God  about  his  church,  the  scripture  hath  an  undeniable 
N  .his  let  us  but  consider, 


242  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

1.  That/br  many  ages  this  truth  about  the  incalling  of 
the  Gentiles  was  sealed  up  in  a  prophecy  ;  a  thing  so  great 
and  astonishing  to  the  ancient  Jewish  church,  that  they 
could  not  well  comprehend  the  same,  until  once  the  event 
brought  it  forth.  For  this  was  indeed  a  mystery  hid  from 
ages,  how  the  Gentiles  should  be  fellow  heirs,  of  the  same 
body,  and  partakers  of  the  promise  in  Christ;  when  the 
bounds  and  extent  of  the  church  did  not  exceed  Judca, 
that  small  inclosurc,  whilst  the  whole  world  beside  did  lie 
buried,  like  an  outfield,  in  dark  paganism.  For  it  is  well 
known,  that  the  most  pleasant  places  of  Africa,  Asia,  and 
Europe,  where  afterwards  many  famous  churches  were, 
within  these  1600  years  was  but  a  savage  wilderness : 
Britain,  Germany  and  France,  did  then  worship  the  sun 
and  stars,  they  sacrificed  to  the  gods  of  the  heathens  ;  yea, 
those  eastern  parts  on  which  the  sun  did  first  rise,  did  not 
then  know  the  God  of  Israel ;  a  truth,  which  not  only  the 
Roman  and  Grecian  histories,  but  the  records  of  particular 
nations  can  clearly  attest. 

2.  It  is  clear,  that  this  prophecy  was  not  held  forth  only 
in  general  ;  but  we  find  the  time  also  prefixed  (with  other 
special  circumstances)  when  it  should  have  its  accomplish- 
ment, at  the  appearing  of  the  Messias.  He  should  be  re- 
pealed to  Israel;  before  which  time  a  bar  was  drawn  in 
the  way  of  the  nations,  and  a  wall  of  partition  betwixt 
them  and  the  church,  until  he  stand  up  who  should  hold 
forth  an  ensign  to  the  people,  and  gather  the  Gentiles  under 
his  standard ;  which  Isaiah  doth  clearly  shew,  Is.  xi.  10, 
and  xxxiv.  1,  2.  and  lx.  1 ,  &c.  And  then  must  the  moun- 
tains flow  down  at  his  presence,  nations  be  born  at  once  ; 
yea,  the  light  break  forth  to  the  east  and  the  west:  then 
should  the  children  of  the  desolate  be  more  than  of  the  mar- 
ried wife,  when  this  time  even  the  set  time  forthe  Gentiles 
is  once  come.  And  it  may  be  very  convincing,  which  is 
most  observable,  that  notwithstanding  of  a  more  flourish- 
ing condition  of  the  Jewish  church  in  former  ages,  when 
her  grandeur  and  prosperity  was  more  tempting,  and  the 
neighbourhood  and  commerce  which  the  nations  about 
pad  with  that  people,  yea,  though  by  the  captivity  they 
were  scattered  among  the  Persians  and  Babylonians  ;  yet 
was  there  no  such  stir  or  change  of  the  world,  until  the  ap- 
pouted  time  once  came. 

3.  It  may  he  easy  to  prove  the  event  of  this  prophecy,  and 
its  manifest  accomplishment,  even  at  the  time  thereof.  For 
this  men  cannot  deny,  tf'at  the  Lord  did  visit  the  Gentiles 
trim  the  knowledge  of  his  truth  :  which  then  caused  such  a 
change  in  the  earth,  as  a  great  part  of  it  hath  been  brought 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  24S 

from  heathenish  idolatry,  to  worship  the  God  of  Israel  ; 
and  such  who  once  were  strangers  and  aliens,  now  made 
to  profess  the  same  faith  (as  to  the  substance  thereof)  of 
the  ancient  Jewish  church.  Sure  this  truth  needs  not 
want  a  witness,  whilst  nations  and  much  of  the  known 
world  have  been  for  so  long  a  time,  and  yet  to  this  day  are 
a  visible  proof  thereof;  a  truth  of  such  concernment, 
that  in  former  ages  made  a  great  and  stupendous  change 
upon  the  face  of  the  earth,  so  that  not  only  an  innumerable 
company  out  of  all  nations  and  languages,  but  the  general- 
ity, the  very  complex  body  of  kingdoms  and  nations  can 
bear  witness  thereto.  And  now  the  gospel  hath  been 
preached  through  much  of  the  world  ;  yea,  we  may  say, 
there  are  few  parts  thereof,  where  therehath  not  been 
some  face  of  a  church  ;  though  the  promise  hath  not  yet 
had  its  full  accomplishment,  but  we  wait  for  (according  to 
the  scripture)  a  more  flourishing  time,  and  great  harvest 
among  the  nations,  when  Israel  shall  be  gathered:  howev- 
er, it  is  sure,  the  Lord  hath  in  a  great  part  fulfillecl  this  his 
promise,  so  that  the  church  might  then  with  astonishment 
cry  out,  Who  hath  begotten  all  these  children  !  Who  are 
these  that  flee  as  a  cloud,  like  the  doves  to  their  windows  ! 
O  blessed  day;  in  which  the  light  did  first  break  forth  on 
the  poor  offspring  of  Japhet,  who  then  dwelt  in  the  shallow 
and  region  of  death  !  O  blessed  day,  that  brought  salvation 
with  it  to  the  Gentiles,  wherein  the  Lord  did  visit  those 
dark  places  of  the- earth,  which  were  full  of  the  habitations 
of  cruelty.  I  think,  the  sense  of  so  great  a  mercy  should 
never  let  us  want  an  errand  for  giving  thanks,  yea,  put 
much  to  silence  our  other  complaints. 

4.  It  is  not  only  as  to  the  time,  but  those  very  places  of 
the  earth,  which  Esaias  and  other  of  the  prophets  did  par- 
ticularly point  at,  this  promise  had  an  exact  accomplish- 
ment ?  For  it  is  this  day  manifest,  as  to  the  isles,  which  we 
find  so  frequently  mentioned,  that  these  should  wait  for  his 
law,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth,  whence  he  should 
bring  the  daughter  of  his  dispersed,  we  may  get  a  dear 
commentary  upon  the  same,  from  what  the  Lord  hath  done 
to  Britain  and  Ireland,  with  other  remote  parts  of  the 
earth  :  yea,  have  not  Ethiopians  been  made  to  stretch  out 
their  hands  even  in  those  sunburnt  places  of  Africa  ?  Hath 
not  Christ  also  had  a  conquest,  where  many  a  blackmoor 
was  through  grace  made  as  the  snow  of  Salmon,  and  the 
feathers  of  a  dove  ?  So  that  it  is  clear,  how  these  particular 
places,  which  were  so  oft  pointed  at  by  the  prophets,  have 
been  visited  by  the  gospel,  and  fallen  to  the  share  of  the 
church. 


244  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

5.  This  change,  which  by  the  incoming  of  the  Gentiles 
to  the  church  was  wrought  upon  the  earth,  is  a  thing  so 
great  and  astonishing.,  that  were  it  still  in  the  promise,  and 
this  not  yet  fulfilled,  it  would  truly  stagger  our  faith,  how- 
such  a  thing  should  ever  come  to  pass  :  and  is  there  not 
here  a  miracle,  that  the  world  cannot  possibly  deny  ?  (Even 
this  great  work  of  God  in  bringing  in  of  the  Gentiles,  which 
without  an  extraordinary  power,  could  not  be  effected)  if 
men  will  consider,  (First)  That  sivift  progress  which  then 
the  gospel  had  ;  how  it  did  run,  and  was  glorified,  through 
the  farthest  parts  of  the  earth,  and  like  lightning  break 
forth  from  one  place  to  another ;  so  that  in  the  apostles' 
time,  the  scripture  doth  shew,  how  most  of  the  conspicuous 
provinces  of  Asia  had  received  the  gospel  ;  and  Teitullian, 
who  lived  in  the  second  century  (in  his  book  contra  Juda- 
os)  doth  there  witness  how  many  nations,  and  these  most 
remote  from  other,  Parthians,  Medcs,  Armenia,  Phrygia, 
Cappadocia,  Po?itus,imc\  Pamphilia,  with  much  of  Egypt, 
and  divers  parts  of  Africa,  besides  Rome,  Spain,  and 
other  places  of  Europe,  were  in  his  time  almost  wholly 
christian.  For  it  is  indeed  clear,  that  the  bounds  of  the 
church  was  then  of  a  larger  extent,  than  it  is  now  at  this 
day.  (2.)  It  is  also  undeniable,  that  in  this  solemn  day  of 
the  gospel's  spreading  amongst  the  nations,  suffering  and 
persecution  did  all  that  time  attend  the  church;  yea,  in 
such  a  measure,  that  as  the  writers  of  those  times  do  wit- 
ness, neither  famine,  pestilence,  nor  the  sword  did  destroy 
so  many  of  the  world,  as  then  were  of  christians  in  the  two 
first  centuries  put  to  death  for  adhering  to  the  truth  :  and 
it  is  clear,  that  this  great  work  of  God,  in  such  a  swift 
spreading  of  the  church,  was  most  discernible  in  those  times 
of  hottest  persecution  :  yea,  then  was  her  most  effectual 
growth  and  increase,  which  upon  her  getting  some  rest, 
and  beginning  to  flourish  with  external  peace,  was  at  a 
visible  stand.  (3.)  How  marvellous  a  thing  was  this,  to  be 
brought  about,  if  we  consider  the  many  different  languages 
that  did  then  stop  correspondence  between  the  church  and 
the  rest  of  the  earth.  For  how  could  the  truth  thus  spread 
among  the  nations,  yea,,  in  such  remote  places  of  the  world 
churches  be  planted  by  the  apostles,  and  have  the  scripture 
translated,  and  made  legible  to  them,  without  that  extraor-. 
dinary  gift  of  tongues,  which  for  that  end  was  then  given 
from  the  Lord  ?  Sure,  beside  sacred  authority  in  this  mat- 
ter, reason  may  convincingly  witness  to  the  world  the  truth 
of  such  a  miracle.  (4.)  How  strange  and  wonderful  a 
change  was  this,  that  in  so  short  a  time  the  gospel  should 
thus  enlighten  and  put  such  a  lustre  on  the  most  rude  and 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  245 

savage  places  of  the  earth,  where  scarce  humanity  had 
been,  and  bring  them  from  the  condition  of  beasts,  to  be 
men  ;  should  thus  tame  and  civilize  the  greatest  barbari- 
ans, and  cause  the  lion  to  lie  down  with  the  lamb,  yea,  by 
the  preaching  of  that  gospel,  and  of  a  crucified  Christ , 
which  as  it  was  to  the  Jews  a  stumbling  block ,  so  to  the 
Greeks  foolishness  ! 

And  in  a  word,  was  not  this  indeed  a  miracle,  how  in  a 
matter  of  such  high  concernment  as  that  wherein  men's 
souls  and  everlasting  interest  lay,  they  should  be  turned  oft 
from  their  old  way  and  religion,  in  which  they  and  their 
lathers  had  been  so  long  rooted  ;  and  that  a  little  spark 
which  did  break  out  in  Judea,  should  bring  down  the  idols 
of  the  nations,  and  burn  up  their  temples  ! 

Alas,  that  there  is  so  little  of  a  large  heart,  of  that  primi- 
tive zeal  and  fervour  this  day  among  christians  for  the  en- 
largement of  the  church  !  that  such  merchants  are  now 
rare,  who  would  venture  out  to  trade  with  other  parts,  for 
this  excellent  ware,  the  merchandise  whereof  is  better  than 
of  gold!  O  that  in  these  parts  where  the  truth  is  known 
and  professed,  the  Lord  would  raise  up  men  of  such  a  spir- 
it, and  such  a  magistrate,  who  would  make  it  their  work, 
and  lay  down  solid  grounds  how  to  advance  the  kingdom  of 
Christ  in  the  dark  places  of  the  earth,  and  reckon  their  in- 
terest in  a  foreign  plantation  upon  the  account  of  the  gospel, 
no  less  than  on  the  account  cf  urude  ?  we  would  pray,  and 
yet  hope  for  this. 

IX.  What  we  find  foretold  by  Daniel,  yea,  by  Christ 
himself,  about  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem,  and  ceasing  of 
the  Jewish  daily  sacrifice,  with  the  rejection  of  that  people, 
(Dan.  xii.  11.  Matth,  xxiv.  2.)  hath  many  ages  ago  come 
10  pass,  wherein  the  world  may  see  how  clearly  the  event 
doth  answer  this  prophecy.    For  it  is  manifest, 

1.  That  this  is  a  truth  which  doth  need  no  other  wit- 
ness, than  the  scattered  remnant  and  desolate  ruins  of  that 
once  flourishing  church  and  nation  of  the  Jews,  which  we 
see  with  our  eyes  at  this  day ,  whose  present  state  is  so  great 
a  monument  of  divine  judgment,  so  clear  a  witness  to  the 
scripture,  that  1  think  men  cannot  look  thereon,  if  they  be 
in  any  measure  serious,  but  must  have  such  a  conviction. 

2.  What  hath  befallen  this  people,  may  it  not  be  an  as- 
tonishment to  the  world  in  all  succeeding  ages  !  A  stroke, 
that  hath  put  them  in  a  more  sad  condition  than  any  na- 
tion or  people  we  ever  yet  heard  of !  that  cast  them  out  of 
their  own  land,  and  scattered  them  as  vagabonds  through 
the  earth,  so  that  these  many  ages  they  have  had  no  sceptre 
nor  lawgiver,  no  piece  of  the  earth  they  ean  call  their  own, 


LM6  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

but  at  the  mercy  and  arbitrary  disposal  of  every  place  they 
reside  in  ;  no  privilege,  or  liberties,  but  a  naked  permis- 
sion to  possess  their  lives  and  estates  during  the  pleasure 
of  those  under  whom  they  get  shelter  !  A  people  put  by 
themselves  with  a  visible  mark  of  divine  wrath  upon  them, 
like  a  beacon  set  up  for  all  the  nations  to  look  on,  even 
these  who  were  once  eminently  owned  of  the  Lord,  who 
was  known  in  their  palaces  for  a  refuge  !  yea,  it  is  very 
manifest,  that  no  stir  or  essay  that  ever  they  made  fur  their 
relief,  but  was  still  to  their  further  ruin,  and  found  God's 
hand  visibly  cross  to  them  therein  !  Sure,  Ammiamis 
Marcellinus,  a  heathen  writer,  did  intend  no  testimony  to 
the  christian  cause  in  relating  that  strange  passage,  which 
near  his  time  fell  out  how  the  Jews  by  Julian's  warrant 
and  permission  did  attempt  to  build  the  temple  again,  but 
2,  fire  breaking  out  from  the  foundation  thereof,  which  de- 
stroyed many  of  the  workmen,  forced  them  with  much 
terror  to  desist. 

3.  Must  it  not  be  some  strange  and  dreadful  provoca- 
iion,  beyond  the  sin  of  their  forefathers,  whereat  so  strange 
and  unusual  a  stroke  doth  point  ?  Whilst  it  is  clear,  that 
notwithstanding  frequent  idolatry,  and  departing  from 
God,  when  they  were  at  that  height  in  wickedness  as  to 
offer  up  their  children  to  Molech,  and  set  up  altars  in  the 
groves,  to  reject  the  message  of  the  prophets,  and  thrust 
some  of  them  in  a  dungeon;  yet  were  only  punished  with 
seventy  years'  captivity,  and  after  by  God's  very  immedi- 
ate hand  brought  again%  those  who  had  taken  them  captive 
concurring  with  them  to  rebuild  the  temple.  But  now 
how  long  and  dark  hath  their  night  been,  since  this  judg- 
ment came  on  them  !  and  though  they  could  not  these 
many  ages  charge  themselves  with  idolatry,  yet  no  Saviour 
or  deliverer  hath  been  raised  up,  no^  prophet  sent  forth,  no 
sign  or  appearance  at  this  day  of  relief,  now  for  these  1600 
years  ;  yea,  amidst  these  frequent  changes  and  revolutions, 
that  have  been  in  the  world,  no  change  in  their  condition  ! 
Sure,  if  that  people  were  in  speaking  terms  with  their  con- 
sciences, this  might  put  them  to  a  strange  demur,  what 
should  be  the  cause,  if  they  be  not  guilty  of  killing  the 
Messias,  and  that  blood  pursuing  them  :  vjhat  atrocious 
provocation  beyond  others  they  can  instance  in,  for  which 
the  Lord  doth  so  long  and  so  sorely,  by  such  an  unusual 
and  unheard  of  stroke,  thus  contend. 

4.  What  a  marvellous  concurrence  of  providences,  and 
convincii  .ranee  of  a  divine  hand,  was  in  this  judg- 
ment, the  besieging  o/ Jerusalem  by  the  Romans  falling  in 
with  the  very  time  of  the  passover  ;  whilst  so  great  a  con- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  247 

flaence  of  people  from  all  parts  of  the  land  were  there  on 
that  account,  that  both  sword  and  famine  might  contribute 
their  help  to  destroy  !  What  unreasonable  and  astonishing 
obstinacy  against  all  offers  of  peace,  and  the  most  pressing 
insinuations  thereof,  which  Titus  Vespasian  made,  even 
whilst  their  ruin  was  otherwise  inevitable  !  An  unheard  of 
strifey  where  the  enemy  did  contend  to  save,  but  they  to 
undo  themselves  !  How  judicially  hardened,  under  most 
remarkable  prodigies  and  warnings,  which  they  had  of 
that  approaching  desolation  ;  divided  wholly  arnongst  them- 
selves, yea,  so  cruel  one  upon  another  within,  that  their 
adversary  without  could  not  but  look  thereon  with  com- 
passion !  O  what  a  stroke  was  this,  wherein  greatest  athe- 
ists would  grant  a  fatality  !  For  indeed  men  cannot  consider 
the  same  without  acknowledging  a  divine  hand,  andsome- 
thing  above  ordinary  means  and  causes,  where  all  did  thus 
meet  together  in  a  solemn  conspiracy  to  accomplish  that 
people's  ruin. 

5.  But  it  is  here  we  may  see  a  singular  providence  of 
God  for  his  church,  that  those  who  of  all  the  world  are 
most  violent  enemies  to  the  christian  truth,  are  also  a  most 
convincing  witness  to  the  same.  Whilst  (1.)  These  do 
clearly  attest  the  scripture  which  is  our  alone  charter,  the 
divine  authority  of  Moses  and  the  prophets,  the  true  copies 
whereof  they  did  most  tenderly  preserve,  whatever  absurd 
glosses  some  of  their  rabbies  have  thereon  ;  yea,  durst 
never  offer  in  the  least  to  vitiate  the  original,  but  have  had 
the  same  transmitted,  still  from  one  age  to  another ;  to 
which  records,  that  are  this  day  in  their  hand,  the  christian 
church  can  with  much  confidence  appeal,  and  demonstrate 
from  the  Old  Testament  the  undoubted  truth  of  the  New. 
Yea,  in  this  we  may  appeal  the  atheist  to  his  conscience, 
that  the  scripture  is  no  imposture,  or  any  cunning  device 
of  christians,  which  is  so  far  witnessed  even  by  the  great- 
est adversary  and  maligners  of  the  christian  religion.  (2.) 
That  strange  induration  of  the  Jews,  their  unreasonable 
rejecting  of  the  truth,  who  after  so  long  a  time  cannot  see 
the  cause,  which  is  most  discernible  in  their  stroke.  O  is 
not  this  also  a  most  convincing  seal  to  the  scripture,  and 
clear  fulfilling  thereof,  there  is  a  veil  over  their  mind,  as  the 
apostle  sheweth,  whilst  they  read  the  law,  judicially  smit- 
ten by  the  Lord  with  blindness  that  they  cannot  see  until 
once  this  veil  be  taken  off  ?  And  truly  we  may  say,  there 
is  nothing  in  their  judgment  more  strange  and  astonishing, 
than  such  a  continued  obstinacy  against  the  truth  :  how 
they  should  be  thus  dark  in  the  noonday,  but  that  herein 


248  The  Fulfilling  of  the  ScriptuM* 

the  scripture  is  fulfilled  ;  so  that  we  may  even  turn  a  poi- 
son  into  an  antidote  ! 

X.  That  which  is  so  expressly  foretold  in  the  New 
Testament,  yea,  as  the  great  drift  of  the  prophecies  thereof, 
The  coming  of  antichrist ',  cifid  revealing  of  the  man  of 
sin  to  the  world,  (2  Thess.  ii.  3,  4,  7,  8,  9.)  hath  long  since 
been  accomplished  ;  wherein,  we  may  say,  the  wonderful 
corresponding  of  the  event  with  the  prophecy  is  so  clear, 
that  this  truth  is  now  as  plain  and  obvious,  as  once  it  was 
dark  to  the  church  ;  these  things  being  undeniable, 

1.  How  the  Spirit  of  Go n  in  the  scripture  hath  been  in 
a  more  than  ordinary  way  particular,  to  point  antichrist 
forth  by  such  notorious  mirks  and  characters^  that  after 
ages  may  know  him,  if  they  will  not  shut  their  eyes.  I 
confess,  it  is  not  strange,  the  popish  party  should  seal  up 
the  scripture,  and  forbid  the  ordinary  reading  of  it,  since 
the  breaking  forth  of  that  light  would  soon  make  their 
kingelom  dark.  For  if  men  would  but  set  the  history  of 
the  church,  since  the  times  of  the  apostles,  over  against  the 
scripture,  and  make  use  of  that  notable  key  for  opening 
the  prophecies  of  the  New  Testament,  it  should  be  then 
easy  to  know,  the  antichrist  is  surely  come,  and  who  this 
is  ;  and  herein  doth  the  Lord's  tender  respect  to  his  church 
appear,  that  he  doth  not  only  in  a  very  solemn  manner 
forewarn  men  about  this  great  trial,  and  as  it  were  by  the 
sound  of  a  trumpet  give  an  alarm,  that  such  an  adversary 
was  coming,  yea,  of  the  time  thereof,  who  would  do  more 
hurt,  than  all  who  had  gone  before,  but  doth  also  make  so 
clear  a  discovery  of  the  whole  fabric,  rise,  and  progress  of 
that  party,  with  such  particular  circumstances  and  differ- 
encing characters  from  any  other  enemy  of  the  church,  as 
may  render  the  world  most  inexcusable,  if  they  will  needs 
dash  on  that  rock,  whereon  the  scripture  hath  set  so  con- 
spicuous a  beacon. 

2.  That  this  prophecy  should  now  want  an  accomplish- 
ment, or  antichrist  be  yet  to  come,  is  a  thing  most  repug- 
nant to  sacred  truth  :  since  it  is  sure,  that  mystery  of  in- 
iquity even  in  the  times  of  the  apostles  did  begin  to  work  ; 
and  what  then  for  a  time  withheld  his  coming,  the  heathen 
empire  of  Rome,  hath  long  since  been  taken  out  of  the  way  ; 
which  caused  some  christians  in  those  days  to  wish  the 
standing  and  continuance  of  that  empire  !  from  the  terror 
they  had  of  that  adversary,  who  according  to  the  word  they 
knew  was  to  fill  his  room.  Yea,  do  we  not  find,  the 
church's  trial  Horn  antichrist  should  be  the  most  sore- awl 
listiw;  tihil  of  the  church  under  the  New  Testament  ? 
which  aitu- her  begun  breathing  from  heathenish  pcrsccu- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  249 

tion,  was  to  continue  for  many  ages,  wherein  the  word  is 
most  express  and  clear,  that  the  rise  and  fall  of  this  enemy 
should  be  gradual,  and  not  at  once  ;  whose  beginning  and 
first  appearance  might  be  traced  to  the  first  times  of  the 
church,  and  his  close  and  final  ruin  near  the  second  coming 
of  Christ,  by  the  brightness  W hereof  'ty$}  shall  be  destroyed! 
And  therefore  this  is  so  much  the  subject  of  the  prophe- 
cies of  the  New  Testament,  the  great  intent  and  scope  of 
the  Revelation  of  John,  in^  which  the  true  state  of  the 
christian  church,  with  the  various  changes  of  her  condition, 
even  from  the  opening  of  the  first  seal  to  the  blowing  of 
the  last  trumpet,  is  particularly  held  forth  ;  and  there  may 
we  all  along  trace  the  steps  of  the  rise  and  fall  of  that  man 
of  sin. 

3.  That  such  an  one  as  the  scripture  points  forth,  doth 
most  fully  answer  to  all  tiiose  marks  which  are  there  given 
of  antichrist,  hath  come,  and  been  revealed  to  the  world,  is 
a  thing  so  very  manifest,  that  except  men  will  needs  force 
their  light  and  conscience*  it  cannot  but  be  beyond  quest- 
ion and  debate  ;  even  such  an  one  whose  coming  should  be 
after  the  working  of  Satan  with  all  power,  signs,  and  lying 
wonders,  for  bidding  to  marry,  and  to  abstain  from  meats 
which  God  had  appointed,  who  sitteth  in  the  temple  of 
God,  having  a  name  full  of  blasphemy ,  and  doth  exalt  him- 
self above  all  that  is  called  God,  who  bewitcheth  the  kings  and 
great  men  of  the  earth  with  his  enchantments  ;  yea,  that 
even  by  his  livery  may  he  be  known,  he  most  usually  hath 
scarlet  and  purple,  which  I  think  truly  marvellous,  how  par- 
ticularly these  are  mentioned  in  the  scripture  ;  and  in  a 
word,  such  an  one  whose  traffick  and  merchandise,  is  not 
only  gold  and  silver,  but  the  souls  of  men  ;  who  should  be 
drunk  with  the  blood  of  the  saints  and  martyrs  of  Jesus 
Christ  ;  under  whose  reign  the  church  must  flee  to  the  wil- 
derness, and  there  be  latent  for  a  long  time  ;  and  his  seat, 
that  city  which  is  situate  upon  seven  hills,  even  that  great 
city  which  doth  rule  over  the  kings  of  the  earth.  O  strange, 
how  men  can  acknowledge  this  for  the  scripture  of  God, 
and  yet  not  see  it  fulfilled  before  their  eyes,  that  there  is  so 
lively  an  image  and  portrait  of  antichrist  there  held  forth, 
such  peculiar  characters  which  do  convincingly  point  at  the 
pope,  and  popish  hierarchy  ;  yea,  could  answer  to  no  oth- 
er adversary,  which  Christ  ever  had  under  the  New  Test- 
ament, either  pagan,  or  Mahometan  :  and  yet  so  much  of 
the  world  doth  not  know  him  when  he  is  before  their  eyes  ! 

4.  It  is  clear,  that  no  age  since  antichrist  was  revealed, 
did  altogether  want  some  witness,  to  point  him  forth,  even 
m  the  darkest  times ;  many  of^mhamhvednot  their  lives 

H  H 


256  The  Fulfilling  if  the  Scripturt. 

unto  the  death,  that  they  might  seal  this  truth  ;  and  it  may 
be  a  question,  if  more  of  the  blood  of  the  saints  was  shed 
under  heathens,  than  in  after  times  under  antichrist.  Yea, 
though  we  had  not  such  express  marks  to  discover  him, 
from  the  world,  it  may  be  easy  for  men  to  judge  who  that 
is,  that  is  this  day  so i  directly  opp osite  to  Jesus  Christ,  and 
to  the  great  design  of  the  gospel;  that  assumes  to  himself 
what  is  alone  due  to  God,  to  forgive  sin,  and  be  worship, 
ped  with  religious  adoration  ;  that  challenges  a  magisterial 
power  and  supremacy  over  the  whole  church,  as  its  bead, 
ii  style  too  great  for  any  of  the  angels  :  who  maketh  void 
the  merit  of  Christ,  a  id  layeth  down  a  way  of  life  and  sal- 
vation, on  the  same  terms  that  it  stood  in  the  covenant  of 
works,  who  doth  destroy  the  great  intent  of  the  gospel  ; 
and  in  effect,  denieth  Jesus  Christ  to  have  come  in  the  flesh  ; 
who  setteth  heaven  upon  sale  for  money,  and  permitteth 
hone  to  perish  and  go  to  hell ,  but  the  poor,  who  doth  dis- 
pense with  grossest  acts  of  sin,  and  the  express  commands 
of  the  Lawgiver,  maketh  moral  prohibitions  void  by  his 
authority  ;  yea,  halloweth  the  very  stews,  and  most  horrid 
actsofuncleanness  ;  taketh  on  him  to  change  the  Condi- 
tion of  the  dead,  and  ensure  to  their  friends  the  happy  state 
of  their  souls,  if  they  will  make  large  offerings  on  that  ac- 
count. O  I  who  is  this,  if  not  that  antichrist^  whose 
wav  doth  state  him  in  such  direct  terms  of  opposition  to 
Christ  ? 

5.  Have  we  not  cause  to  wonder,  no  less  at  the  strange 
induration  and  blindness  of  the  popish  party,  than  of  the 
Jews,  that  whilst  the  one  doth  confess  the  Old  Testament > 
and  j-et  knoweth  not  Christ,  the  other  should  grant  the 
truth  of  the  New  Testament,  and  not  know  antichrist,  that 
he  is  ebrtie,ivcti  he  after  whom  a  great  part  of  the  world 
for  these  many  ages  hath  been  wandering  ?  Sure,  so  clear 
an  agreement  betwixt  this  prophecy  and  the  eventmay  not 
only  put  this  beyond  debate,  but  leave  a  conviction  upon 
the  greatest  atheists,  of  the  truth  and  divinity  of  the  scrip- 
Hire.  For  whatever  former  times  might  pretend  igno- 
rance, whilst  this  mystery  was  but  working,  now  when  the 
man  of  sin  hath  come  to  his  full  height  and  stature,  and  is 
so  clearly  revealedby  the  light  of  the  gospel,  it  taketh  away 
ail  excuse  ;  and  T  profess,  in  these  latter  times,  I  cannot 
see  how  one  can  be  a  knowing  papist,  and  not  an  atheist 
also1. 

I  know  it  "is  a  sore  judgment  on  men,  who  will  not  re- 
c*.  ivethe  truth,  that  the  discovery  thereof  should  be  their 
pain  and  torment  ;  and  I  am  sure,  whatever  advantages  of 
outward  peace  the  followers  of  antichrist  have  this  day, 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  251 

they  can  have  no  sound  sleep,  whilst  the-  light  with  that 
clearness  doth  shine,  that  they  can  neither  stand  before  it, 
nor  yet  flee  and  escape,  where  their  conscience  will  not 
follow.  t  But  O  !  here  is  the  scripture  evidently  fulfilled, 
and  their  judgment  far  begun,  as  it  is  held  forth  in  Rev. 
xv'u  that  the  greater  discovery  the  light  makes,  the  more 
they  should  rage,  and  in  fury  rise  against  it :  for  the  heat 
of  this  cannot  but  scorch,  where  it  doth  not  warm.  There 
is  no  help,  where  God  doth  judicially  harden  men:  no 
blindness,  like  that  where  they  shut  their  eyes,  and  the 
righteous  God  makes  it  their  plague  by  putting  his  seal  to 
it.  However,  wisdom  must  be  justified  oj  her  children  ; 
the  truth  cannot  lose  its  errand,  even  when  its  effects  are 
sad  and  judicial;  for  it  is  a  sweet  savour  to  God  in  them 
who  perish.  It  is  truly  a  sad  sight,  and  there  seems  no  ac- 
cess to  convince,  where  malice  at  the  way  of  the  Lord 
turns  men  mad,  yea,  cruel  against  themselves  ;  but  since 
the  popish  church  c!o:s  not  avowedly  deny  the  scriptures, 
the  divinity  of  the  New  Testament  and  prophecies  thereof 
(which  is  the  great  advantage  we  require  to  have  its  au- 
thority admitted,  and  their  religion  brought  to  this  test) 
which  is  the  alone  rule  of  all  true  religion  ;  and  since  they 
must  grant  that  to  be  joined  with  antichrist,  or  partaker  in 
such  a  way,  is  most  dreadful,  and  involve  s  them  under  the 
greatest  of  judgments ;  for  it  is  a  matter  of  no  less  weight,  than 
an  eternal  salvation,  or  damnation  :  yea,  since  this  concerns 
ministers  of  the  gospel,  as  one  .special  part  of  their  work 
now  in  the  last  times,  to  bear  witness  against  antichrist, 
(that  great,  we  must  say  the  greatest  adversary,  which 
Christ  ever  had  in  the  earth)  to  warn  and  pursue  without 
ceasing  this  call,  whatever  success  it  have,  that  men  would 
come  out  of  Babylon,  and  haste  from  under  an  approaching 
wrath  and  vengeance,  which  'on  some  pther  ground,  than 
appearance,  we  are  sure,  now  makes  haste  ;  1  would  here 
in  behalf  of  the  truth  after  some  queries  on  this  subject 
(besides  any  thing  hath  been  already  mentioned)  and 
herein  appeal  the  adversary  to  the  scripture  of  God,  that 
great  and  uncontroverted  judge,  and  to  their  own  con- 
science, yeavto  the  sober  and  retired  thoughts  of  such, 
who  are  under  any  awe  or  impression  of  a  Deity,  when 
they  are  alone  with  themselves,  if  this  so  remarkable  a 
prophecy,  about  the  antichrist,  and  his  coming,  be  not  now 
clearly  verified,  that  men  may  see  hint  with  their.eyes,  or 
else  must  shut  them  at  such  a  sight. 

1.  Is  there  not  a  ytryfitllmdpartkidar  discovery  which 
the  scripture  gives  of  this  great  adversary,  both  in  his  rise 
and  growth,  his  reign  and  fell;  a  id  not  merely  hy.apass* 


252  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

ing  word  :  whom  the  apostle,  2  Thess.  ii.  3,  4.  points  out 
by  such  peculiar  marks  ;  whom  John  does  describe  and 
distinguish  from  all  other  antichrists,  that  were  only  to  be 
his  forerunners,  and  shews  him  a  more  noted  and  principal 
adversary  of  Christ  above  others  ;  yea,  we  have  through 
the  whole  Revelation  most  clearly  discovered,  under  differ- 
ent styles,  what  he  should  be,  and  what  a  sore  and  long 
trial  the  christian  church  was  to  have  under  his  reign.  I 
profess,  when  1  read  the  scripture,  and  there  see  so  express 
and  clear  a  forewarning,  which  many  ages  befcre  we  have 
about  the  coming  of  this  adversary,  with  such  peculiar  dis- 
tinguishing circumstances  and  marks,  as  are  at  this  day 
most  exactly  verified  in  the  event,  I  am  constrained  to  ad- 
mire at  so  convincing  and  unanswerable  a  witness  to  the 
scripture's  divinity  ;  and  must  think  it  strange,  how  men 
at  such  a  rate  can  wrestle  against  the  truth,  except  by  get- 
ting a  victory  over  their  conscience,  and  putting  the  light 
in  fetters,  whilst  they  own  these  prophecies  of  the  New 
Testament  to  be  of  divine  verity  ;  which  yet  they  so  evi- 
dently distort,  against  the  clear  sense  and  meaning  thereof ; 
yea,  do  adventure  such  a  commentary  on  the  same,  that 
manifestly  destroys  the  text. 

2.  Can  you  possibly  expect  antichrist s  coming  to  the 
world  now  according  to  the  scripture,  if  he  be  not  already 
revealed ;  when  his  forerunners  were  so  many  ages  be- 
fore, even  in  the  times  of  the  apostles,  to  shew  he  was  then 
coming  ?  I  must  ask,  if  this  adversary  should  this  day  be- 
gin to  appear,  could  you  judge  this  is  he,  or  reconcile  such 
a  contradiction,  how  he  is  now  breaking  out,  who  was  be~ 
ginning  to  discover  himself  1500  years  ago  ?  For  it  is  so 
long  since  the  apostle  shewed,  this  mystery  of  iniquity 
*was  voorking,  (2  Thess.  ii.  7.)  which  clearly  points  at  antu 
christy  who  then  was  hatching,  though  not  on  such  a  growth 
and  ascendant,  as  after  ;  and  could  he  be  yet  latent,  yet  in 
the  bud  ?  Hath  there  been  no  further  advance,  after  so 
many  ages  ?  Hath  this  mystery  yet  not  wrought  itself 
above  ground  ?  O  where  hath  he  been,  that  such  a  working 
thing,  so  dreadful  a  spark  could  keep  so  many  ages  under 
ashes,  and  no  flame,  no  fire  perceived  ?  For  it  is  sure  if  he 
was  then  at  work,  he  hath  not  yet  ceased.  Yea,  if  you 
admit  the  scripture,  is  not  the  rising  of  the  Turkish  empire, 
in  the  order  of  the  trumpets,  clearly  after  the  revealing  of 
the  antichrist  ;  and  this  horrid  scourge  held  forth  (Rev. 
ix.  20.)  as  a  remarkable  judgment  from  the  Lord,  on  the 
christian  world,  then  turned  antichristian,  for  their  idola- 
try, worshipping  of  images,  &c.  which  was  not  brought 
into  the  church  till  the  man  of  sin  was  towards  his  height  ? 


The.  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  253 

*.  Is  not  this  unanswerably  manifest,  that  he  who  did 
withhold,  and  as  a  bar  restrained  antichrist's  coming  for  a 
lime,  cannot  now  be  standing  in  the  way  ?  You  see,  the 
scripture  shews  expressly  there  is  a  bar  must  be  removed, 
2nd  then  should  this  man  of  sin  be  revealed;  and  this  cannot 
be  doubted,  but  that  some  temporal  power  was  hereby 
meant,  which  did  then  forcibly  withstand  (as  the  original 
word  katexon  imports.)  For  it  is  very  clear,  whilst  the 
Roman  empire  was  heathen,  he  could  not  brook  Rome,  or 
as  a  monarch  have  his  seat  in  that  city  with  seven  hills  ; 
he  could  not  then  bath  sit  in  the  temple  ofGcd,  and  have  the 
kings  of  the  earth  to  give  their  power  with  consent  to  him. 
Now  let  me  but  appeal  men  to  their  reason  and  judgment, 
if  any  such  bar  could  be  yet  standing,  after  so  great,  yea, 
such  innumerable  mutations  and  changes  of  the  world. 
When,  many  ages  since,  there  have  been  such  various  sue- 
cessions  of  states  and  kingdoms,  and  a  wearing  out  of 
greatest  families,  how  could  any  temporal  power  be  ever 
since  the  days  of  the  apostles  a  continued  let  in  the  way  of 
the  adversary  ? 

4.  This  query  I  would  seriously  offer  ;  if  such  a  party 
can  be  found  this  clay,  to  whom  all  the  marks  of  antichrist 
held  forth  by  the  scripture,  do  truly  agree,  could  you  then 
deny  that  lie  is  come  ;  if  so  be  you  look  for  such  an  anti- 
christ, and  under  that  cognizance,  as  the  Holy  Ghost 
points  him  forth  in  the  world  ?  O  wiil  you  be  so  much  in 
earnest  with  your  conscience,  as  to  suffer  the  truth  to  come 
thus  near,  that  you  may  impartially  judge  what^  is  there 
of  the  prophecies,  that  concerns  antichrist  coming  in  the 
world,  which  is  not  now  verified  in  the  event  before  your 
eyes  ;  and  admit  the  scripture  but  judge  therein,  whether 
ihere  is  any  such  particular  distinguishing  badge  and 
mark,  held  forth  in  that  blessed  record  for  his  discovery, 
which  does  not  convincingly  quadrate  with  the  pope,  and 
his  followers. 

5.  I  shall  in  this  also  appeal  to  your  conscience,  if  there 
be  now  or  hath  been  under  the  new  testament  an  other 
party,  or  such  an  adversary  to  the  church  of  Christ,  to 
whom  these  distinguishing  characters  of  antichrist  could 
agree  :  such  an  one  who  should  be  no  open  adversary,  but 
sit  in  the  temple  of  God  under  the  veil  of  a  friend,  with  a 
shew  of  great  wonders '  and  miracles,  and  yet  under  that 
shew  exalt  himself  against  God.  I  know,  you  will  deny 
that  this  hath  a  clear  respect  to  the  popish  party,  or  is  justly 
applicable  to  them  :  but  I  am  sure,  if  without  a  prejudicate 
bias  you  would  seriously  judge,  and  abstract  from  appli- 
cation, in  this  you  could  not  deny  an  assent,  that  such  a, 


254  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture* 

parti/  (whosoever  he  be)  bears  that  great  badge  of  anti- 
christ, in  exalting  himself  against  God?  who,  as  a  friend, 
doth  assume  those  titles  only  due  and  competent  to  the 
glorious  God,  and  to  the  Mediator  to  be  head  and  chief 
doctor  ot  the  catholic  church,  and  alleges  her  for  his  spouse, 
who  challengeth  an  infinite  power,  by  making  use  of  that, 
Mat.  xxviii.  18.  All  power  is  given  unto  me,  ike.  (which 
that  book,  intitled  Pontifical  Cere  monies,  does  assert,  Lib.u 
fol.  36.  who  assumes  an  authority  to  bind  men's  con- 
science by  his  law,  and  to  free  their  conscience  from  those 
laws  which  are  divine  and  unchangeable  ;  who  appoints 
divine  worship  and  adoration  to  creatures,  by  directing 
prayers  to  them  ;  does  subject  the  faith  of  the  church  to 
the  determination  of  a  man,  in  which,  as  infallible,  all  must 
rest :  is  not  that  a  dethroning  of  him  who  is  the  great 
prophet  and  teacher  of  his  church,  yea,  a  making  his  au- 
thority void  ?  Now,  beside  these  distinguishing  charac- 
ters, which  the  scripture,  so  expressly  gives  of  antichrist,  are 
not  these  also  so  notorious  and  plain,  that  I  think  it  strange 
how  men  can  have  their  reason  and  judgment  in  exercise, 
and  not  know  to  whom  they  belong  ;  I  mean,  the  forbid- 
ding of  marriage,  and  of  the  use  of  meats,  which  the  apos- 
tle holds  forth,  1  Tim.  iv.  3.  and  in  Rev.  xviii.  13.  you 
have  there  a  merchandise  with  the  souls  of  men.  And  O  I 
can  any  be  in  the  dark,  who  these  are,  that  have  such  a 
peculiar  trafnek  with  this  ware,  by  redeeming  souls  for 
money,  and  making  a  sale  of  pardons  and  indulgences, 
which  concern  men's  souls.  1  shall  add  that  likewise  Rev. 
ix»  20.  the  worshipping  of  idols  of  gold  a7id  silver :  and  here- 
in crave  the  world  to  be  judge,  yea,  can  appeal  to  some  of 
their  own  greatest  writers,  if  this  be  not  both  the  doctrine 
and  the  practice  of  the  Romish  church,  which  one  of  the 
most  learned  among  them  does  expressly  assert,  that  the 
images  of  the  trinity  are  not  set  up  for  a  shew,  but  for  re- 
ligious adoration.  And  is  not  this  a  most  direct  making 
void  of  the  moral  Jaw  ?  which  so  expressly  forbids  any 
worshipping  of  the  invisible  God  under  the  similitude  of  a 
corruptible  man,  or  under  any  visible  representation.^ 

6.  Is  not  this  foretold  of  antichrist,  what  a  dominion  he 
should  have  over  the  kings  of  the  earth- /Rev.  xvii.  18.) 
unto  whom  they  should  agree,  end  give  the jr  power  and 
kingdoms,  to  support  his  interest  ?  Now  if  this  be  not  con. 
vincingly  verified,  and  hath  been  for  many  ages  in  the  pope, 
it  is  easy  to  judge  :  and  1  am  sure,  his  followers  would  be 
ioath  to  deny  a  thing,  in  which  they  so  much  boast.  I  con- 
fess, were  it  not  thus  foretold  by  the  scripture,  we  could 
pat  diink  it  credible,  how  the  kings  and  great  men  of  the 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  555 

earth  should  be  in  such  a  measure  bewitched,  to  enslave 
themselves  and  their  i  terest  to  that  party,  and  yield  to  so 
strange  a  subjection  under  their  yoke  ;  it  seems  so  very 
irrational,  yea,  like  an  infatuation,  since  they  cannot  but 
see  under  what  a  terror  he  keeps  them  by  his  interdictions, 
by  assuming  a  power  to  loose  subjects  from  any  tie  to  their 
princes  ;  and  thus  binding  and  loosing  their  conscience  at 
his  pleasure,  what  interest  he  hath  in  their  counsels,  by 
that  subtile  device  of  auricular  confession  ;  what  intolerable 
homage  and  service  he  requires  from  princes  ;  what  vast 
treasure  he  draws  for  support  of  his  hierarchy,  from  those 
places  where  he  hath  power  ;  yea,  what  a  visible  tendency 
his  actions  have  to  promote  a  worldly  interest,  and  make 
the  great  men  of  the  earth  dependent  on  him  ;  how  easily 
he  can  dispense  with  the  greatest  breaches  of  the  moral 
law,  whilst  most  cruel  and  inexorable  in  any  thing  that  in- 
terferes with  his  power  and  supremacy  ;  O  how  astonish- 
ing might  this  blind  devoting  of  great  men,  both  them- 
selves and  their  power,  to  the  support  of  such  an  interest 
be,  if  we  had  not  a  clear  resolution  from  the  scripture,. that 
this  \s  from  the  Lord,  who  hath  put  it  in  their  heart,  and 
so  far  gives  them  up  in  his  secret  judgment ! 

7.  I  must  ask,  is  not  that  a  convincing  witness  to  the 
scripture,  and  a  clear  argument  for  the  protestant  reformed 
church,  which  you  so  much  object  against  her,  that  her 
condition  for  so  many  ages  hath  been  low  and  abject,  and 
did  so  little  appear,  whilst  the  popish  interest  was  resplend- 
ent and  flourishing  !  For  it  is  sure,  such  a  long  continued 
suffering,  and  latent  condition  of  the  church  under  anti- 
christ, is  expressly  foretold,  wherein  the  witnesses  should 
be  put  to  prophecy  in  sackcloth,  and  the  poor  woman 
(which  is  meant  of  the  church)  put  Xofiee  to  the  wilderness 
and  be  there  hid :  so  that  you  cannot  say,  the  cnurch  and 
followers  of  Christ  have  been  lower  in  these  worst  and 
darkest  times,  than  the  word  holds  her  cut  to  be.  Yet, 
hath  there  been  still  a  succession,  and  some  witness  for  the 
truth,  and  the  church  thus  continued  in  all  these  times, 
which  (as  one  excellently  says)  was  like  a  fresh  river  that 
made  her  way  through  that  horrid  lake  of  antichristianism, 
without  mixing  therewith,  and  at  last  did  break  out  glo- 
riously. 

8.  Is  not  the  antichrist  in  a  special  way  pointed  out  in 
the  scripture,  by  some  proper  mark  ?  some  visible  sign  and 
cognizance,  which  his  followers  should  receive,  for  differ- 
encing  them  for  any  other  party,  A;?/,  xiii.  16.  Now  in  this  I 
desire  the  world  and  most  common  observers  to  judge,  if 
those  many  strange  ^a^/';/^  and  rites  of  the  Eomish  church. 


258  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

their  distinguishing  signs  and  badges  (which  they  so  much 
own  and  indispensably  require,  as  visible  characters  of 
their  profession,  yea,  are  so  peculiar  to  that  party  beyond 
others)  do  not  convincingly  quadrate  with  the  scripture 
herein,  and  most  clearly  verify  the  same  in  the  event.  The 
world  knows,  and  the  ordinary  way  and  practice  of  these 
can  witness,  that^  frequent  use  (oh  a  most  horrid,  idolatrous 
abuse  !)  of  the  sign  of  the  cross  ;  which  not  only  in  a  spe- 
cial manner  they  take  as  a  differencing  badge  of  their  party 
from  others,  by  so  frequent  a  crossing  of  their  forehead  and 
breast,  and  putting  this  as  their  mark  on  all  they  baptize, 
or  receive  by  confirmation  ;  but  do  ascribe  also  to  it  an 
effective  and  operative  power,  and  as  a  charm  or  magical 
sign  make  use  of  it  to  effect  things  supernatural,  to  restrain 
sin,  drive ,  away  the  devil.  For  thus  they  conjure  spirits, 
thus  they  wear  it  in  their  rings,  and  pendiaries  ;  yea,  is  it 
not  by  diem  adored  and  worshipped,  and  made  use  of  for 
the  blessing  and  consecration  of  all  other  things  :  sure,  this 
can  be  no  matter  of  debate,  since  it  is  so  known  and  obvi- 
ous, and  that  it  is  easy  thus  to  discern  a  Roman  catholic,  if 
he  but  avow  his  profession,  by  such  a  visible  sign,  and  find 
him  but  by  his  mark  ;  which  that  party  does  pursue  with 
greatest  fervour,  and  thereby  correspond  and  discover 
themselves  one  to  another. 

I  shall  further  add,  is  not  this  the  antichrist,  whose  name 
must  be  understood,  and  reckoned  by  the  number  thereof, 
which  is  the  number  of  a  man  !  Rev.  xiii.  18.  It  is  true, 
this  seems  very  dark  and  mysterious,  and  instead  of  a  more 
clear  discovery,  might  rather  be  judged. a  drawing  a  veil 
over  this  adversary  :  but  since  we  have  the  scripture's  ex- 
press call  and  warrant,  to  make  a  serious  inquiry  and  search 
about  its  meaning,  yea,  does  not  only  hold  it  forth  as  duty, 
but  shews  such  a  thing  is  attainable,  and  may  be  under- 
stood, I  shall  desire  in  humble  sobriety,  without  peremp- 
tory asserting,  to  offer  some  few  thoughts  on  this  scripture, 
both  as  to  its  meaning,  and  how  clearly  the  man  of  sin  is 
thus  pointed  out  and  his  name  made  known  by  the  number 
thereof:  about  which  I  humbly  judge  (and  must  therein 
crave  liberty  to  differ  from  others,  and  those  whose  judg- 
ment 1  most  highly  respect)  that  this  number,  as  it  is  here 
set  down,  is  explicatory,  and  given  as  the  very  key  to  the 
church,  for  opening  the  mystery  of  this  name,  and  of  that 
man  of  whom  also  it  is  the  number  ;  and  thus  shews,  it  is 
not  to  be  reckoned  as  the  name  of  a  single  person,  nor  is 
it  to  be  found  by  arithmetical  computation  in  the  numeral 
letters  of  a  man,  but  is  the  name  of  a  politic  body,  a  name 
which  comprehends  a  plurality,  such  as  those  numef1 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  257 

orders  and  degrees  of  the  pontifical  hierarchy  are ;  and  by 
such  a  scale,  his  number  does  remarkably  ascend  in  so 
many  degrees,  until  it  terminate  in  a  man,  even  in  one  ab- 
solute monarch  and  universal  head,  as  the  very  summa 
totalis,  in  whom  that  whole  number  resolves,  and  there- 
fore it  is  the  number  of  a  man.  Yea,  by  this  reckoning, 
we  may  thus  clearly  know  w/i at  a  man  that  is  ;  that  as  he 
cannot  be  known,  if  we  take  him  alone,  without  respect  to 
a  politic  body  and  the  whole  complex  hierarchy,  of  which 
number  he  is  made  up,  as  the  constituent  parts,  we  must 
also  understand,  by  this  computation,  the  antichrist,  with 
respect  to  a  long  continued  series  and  succession^  which 
here  the  scripture  shews  to  the  church  ;  that  he  is  not  a 
single  individual  person  only,  or  such  a  politic  body,  of 
many  numerous  degrees,  resolving  in  one  head,  which 
should  be  but  for  an  age,  or  of  a  short  duration  ;  but  that 
he  is  an  adversary  who  is  to  be  continued,  in  a  numerous 
succession,  through  a  series  of  many  ages.  And  thus  may 
the  man  of  sin  and  his  name  be  understood,  by  this  number , 
of  which  he  is  made  up.  Now  in  this,  I  humbly  judge, 
the  scope  of  the  scripture  is  clear,  in  setting  down  such  a 
rule  to  count  antichrist  by  bis  number,  and  thus  does  pro- 
phetically obviate  that  great  mistake  after  ages  would  fall 
into,  and  is  to  this  day  entertained,  that  this  adversary  is 
but  one  individual  person,  who  should  get  up,  and  cause  a 
remarkable  apostacy  in  the  church ;  therefore  it  is,  that 
the  world  will  not  know  this  is  he,  when  they  see  him 
before  their  eyes;  not  considering  that  such  a  numerous 
body  and  succession  is  contained  in  his  name,  from  which 
he  cannot  be  separate.  ^ 

But  for  further  clearing,  I  shall  offer  some  few  things  to 
be  seriously  considered  in  his  reckoning.  (1.)  Here  is  a 
number,  and  plurality,  by  the  Holy  Ghost  particularly  set 
down,  by  which  antichrist  must  be  known  and  counted  : 
and  the  tie  is  so  close  betwixt  him  and  his  number,  that 
both  the  man  and  his  name  is  formally  made  up  thereof. 
(2.)  Here  is  a  number  which  is  not  to  be  sought  after  by 
the  subtile  computations  of  arithmetic  or  any  curious  in- 
quiry in  the  numeral  letters  of  a  man's  name  ;  since  thus 
we  cannot  know  the  true  use  of  christian  wisdom  and  pru- 
dence, which  the  scripture  requires  ;  yea,  it  is  clear,  this 
way  might  answer  several  other  names,  as  well  as  Latcinos, 
which  could  not  in  an  ordinary  way  be  determined,  with- 
out a  pretending  to  some  extraordinary  revelation  and  dis- 
covery. But  here  may  be  judged  work  for  spiritual  rtu?j- 
dopi,  to  count  this  number -'of  antichrist,  and  his  name, 
with  respect  to  his  nature,  frame,  ancj  composition.  (3,} 
x  x 


25B  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

Here  is  such  a  number,  which  is  all  summed  up  in  one 
man,  and  cannot  otherwise  be  counted  or  understood, 
but  as  it  hath  a  respect  to  a  single  person,  in  a  continued 
succession,  wherein  it  resolves.    Now,  is  there  not  such  a 
number,  to  which  the  pope  stands  as  nearly  related,  as  the 
total  sum  is  to  those  degrees,  and  lesser  numbers,  of  which 
it  is  made  up  ?  And  here  is  wisdom,  to  join  aright  that 
man  of  sin,  and  his  number,  and  there  see  how  exactly  they 
quadrate  in  the  event,  and  each  gives  light  to  another. 
(4.)  We  find  here  a  large  number,  wherein  there  is  a  plu- 
rality of  many  different  degrees,  rising  one  above  another, 
and  is  therefore  definitely  expressed  by  so  great  a  number 
as  666.     (5.)  This  is  also  a  number  (and  herein  there 
seems  clear  ground  for  such  a  remark)  which  is  most  unite 
and  compact  ;  with  a  close  concatenation,  a  remarkable 
order,  and  rising  from  a  lower  to  a  higher  degree,  with  a 
special  subordination  and  dependence  on  each  other  ;  yea, 
is  thus  knit,  that  one  part  comprehends  the  other  ;  such 
as  is  most  clear  and  obvious,  in  that  subtile  politic  consti- 
tution of  the  Romish  state,  and  that  numerous  hierarchy, 
with  which  this  definite  number  of  666  seems  marvellous- 
ly to  quadrate  :  where  by  a  scale  of  so  many  steps  and  de- 
grees, you  may  follow  up  this  number,  as  it  were  from  six 
to  sixty,  &c.  by  deans,  provincials,   generals  of  orders,  to 
bishops,  thence  archbishops,  primates,  patriarchs,  cardi- 
nals, until  you  find  all  resolve  in  one  man  ;  who  is  as  close- 
ly related  to  it,  as  a  name  can  be  to  so  many  syllables, 
whereof  it  is  made  up.     I  know,  this  may  seem  too  curi- 
ous an  inquiry,  and  not  so  suiting  the  gravity  and  weight 
of  the  scripture  ;  but  since  the  Spirit  of  God  hath  chose 
such  a  definite  number  before  another,  wherein  there  is  so 
strange  an  order  and  quadration,  to  discover  that  adversary, 
and  gives  us  such  ground  that  his  number  points  at  his 
frame  and  composition,  I  think,  without  any  challenge  of 
unsobriety,  such  a  remark  very  suitable.     (6.)  Whilst 
the  scripture  shews,  this  is  the  number  of  a  man,  and  of 
his  name,  does  it  not  also  shew,  it  is  such  a  number  that 
lies  nearest  antichrist,  and  is  most  closely  related  to  him  ; 
and  as  the  formal  cause,  does  most  specially  concur  in  his 
constitution,  yea,  gives  as  it  were  life  to  that  image  ?  Now 
let  it  be  seriously  considered  what  this  is,  yea,  whether 
that  mystery  of  antichristianism  does  not  in  a  peculiar  way 
\u:  \x\\xis  supremacy ,  and  being  infallible  and  the  ultimate 
"judge,  of  controversies,  which  he  claims  as  absolute  head 
of  the  cliurch  universal,  and  that  fountain  whence  all  those 
degrees  of  power  in  the  Romish  hierarchy  do  flow,  and  in 
whom  they  fully  terminate.    For  it  is  clear,  thence  are  all 


The  Fulfill^  °f  *fo  Scripture.  259 

those  gross  tenets,  and  corruptions  in  doctrine.  Thus  he 
most  directly  exalts  himself  against  God,  and  puts  the 
Mediator  off  his  throne  :  thus  he  does  exercise  authority 
over  men's  conscience  ;  thus  antichristianism,  and  that 
avowed  opposition  to  Jesus  Christ,  takes  life,  is  nourished , 
and  hath  its  strength,  even  under  those  wings  of  his  abso- 
lute supremacy.  Now  if  it  be  clear  that  this  is  the  number 
which  lies  nearest  to  antichrist,  from  which  he  can  no 
ways  be  separated,  and  does  most  formally  make  up  that 
man  of  sin,  then  by  the  exercise  of  christian  wisdom  may 
that  number,  and  its  true  meaning  be  thence  understood, 
(7.)  Is  not  this  such  a  number,  that  is  peculiarly  restricted, 
in  a  class  by  itself,  which  the  18th  ver.  does  shew,  where- 
in that  great  bulk  of  the  Romish  church  is  not  to  be  sought  ? 
For  though  it  is  there  clear,  that  such  who  receive  the 
mark,  and  by  some  visible  profession  own  the  doctrine  of 
the  Romish  church,  are  of  the  largest  extent,  and  therefore 
it  is  said,  great  and  small,  rich  and  poor,  must  come  that 
length,  yet  as  to  the  number  of  the  beast,  and  of  his  name, 
it  is  expressed  by  itself,  and  as  a  higher  class,  in  which  all 
of  the  common  rank  who  must  receive  the  mark,  do  not 
fall  :  but  as  lying  more  close  and  near  to  antichrist,  is  in  a 
peculiar  manner  restricted  by  a  distinguishing  note  ;  which 
a  serious  study  of  that  scripture  will  help  to  clear. 

XI.  What  was  prophesied  about  the  killing  of  the  wit- 
nesses under  antichrist,  fRei).  xi.  3,  7,  8.)  we  may  say, 
hath  clearly  come  to  pass,  and  at  this  day  may  read  the 
same  in  the  event.  For  it  is  manifest, 
m  1.  That  during  antichrist's  reign,  even  in  the  darkest 
times,  there  wanted  not  some  to  seal  the  truth,  and  bear  wit- 
ness thereto,  both  by  open  confession,  and  suffering  on 
that  account,  which  the  church  histories  can  abundantly 
make  out. 

,  2.  That  during  that  dark  night  those  who  did  give  a  tes- 
timony, and  any  way  appeared  against  the  grievous  en- 
croachments of  antichrist,  in  behalf  of  downborne  truth, 
were  put  to  prophecy  in  sackcloth,  when  there  was  nothing 
left,  but  to  weep  over  the  church's  ruins,  and  witness  their 
detestation  and  grief  for  the  growing  apostacy  of  such 
times. 

3.  It  is  clear,  that  as  the  prophecy  doth  point  at  some 
more  remarkable  suffering  and  persecution,  which  the 
church  was  to  meet  with  from  antichrist,  beyond  all  it  had 
endured  from  that  adversary  in  former  ages  ;  yea,  a  special 
permission  from  the  Lord  to  that  party,  to  vent  their  rage 
and  cruelty  against  the  saints,  which  should  fall  out  after 
the  witnesses  finishing  their  testimony,  who  had  so  long  in 


260  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

an  abject,  low  condition,  as  in  sackcloth,  prophesied  ;  yea, 
when  antichrist  should  be  at  his  height,  and  his  kingdom 
upon  the  turn,  that  then  must  this  remarkable  killing  of 
the  witnesses  be  accomplished  :  so  likewise  did  the  event 
convincingly  verify  the  same.  For  it  is  known  that  upon 
the  close  of  antichrist'' s  reign,  whilst  the  truth  began  to 
break  out,  this  sorest  storm  of  persecution  beyond  all  that 
had  been  before,  did  then  break  upon  the  church,  even  in 
its  budding  forth,  that  we  may  say,  that  adversary  did  not 
only  put  forth  the  utmost  of  his  power  and  rage  against  the 
saints,  but  seemed  in  some  measure  to  bring  his  cruel  de- 
signs to  pass  ;  which  the  dreadful  massacres  in  France, 
Provence,  and  the  vallies  of  Piemont,  the  sore  and  violent 
persecution  of  the  church  through  the  Netherlands,  under 
the  duke  of  Aha,  and  in  England  by  queen  Mary,  in 
Germany  after  the  defeat  of  the  duke  of  Saxony <,  and  land- 
grave ol  Hesse,  can  clearly  witness. 

4.  Is  it  not  also  clear,  how  this  remarkable  storm,  and 
cutting  down  of  the  saints,  over  whose  dead  bodies  their 
adversaries  did  rejoice,  was  according  to  this  prophecy  to 
be  previous  to  some  eminent  enlargement  ^  and  reviving  of 
the  church,  which  did  accordingly  fall  out  in  the  event,  like 
a  resurrection  of  the  witnesses  from  the  dead,  to  the  aston- 
ishment of  the  world,  that  immediately  followed  upon  the 
back  thereof?  so  that  when  their  enemies  thought  they 
had  gained  their  end,  as  they  did  conclude  by  such  perse- 
cutions, particularly  that  French  massacre,  that  the  protes- 
lant  interest  should  be  quite  ruined,  they  were  yet  forced 
to  see  their  labour  in  vain,  and  the  church  more  eminently 
flourishing  after  the  same. 

I  shall  further  add,  that  antichrist  hath  not  only  been  re- 
vealed, and  his  kingdom  come  to  its  height  :  but  it  is  clear 
this  day,  that  it  is  on  the  falling  hand,  and  his  ruin  is  now 
begun.  Upon  which  account  we  may  say,  yea,  have 
cause  to  sing,  that  the  winter  is  past,  the  fig  tree  puttetk 
forth  her  leaves,  that  sheweth  the  summer's  approach  ; 
yea,  the  singing  of  birds  is  heard  in  our  land :  let  us  go 
Torth,  and  meet  him,  who  is  now  gone  out  as  a  mighty 
man,  for  the  salvation  of  his  church,  and  takes  the  fields 
against  this  great  adversary  of  his  truth  and  people,  oh 
whose  side  victory  doth  surely  wait. 

The  second  thing  proposed,  was  to  consider,  What  is  yet 
to  'be  accomplished. 

Having  touched  a  little  some  of  the  most  concerning 
prophecies  of  the  scripture,  both  under  the  New  and  Old 
Testament;  which  are  already  fulfilled,  and  the  truth  there- 
of so  clearly  written  forth  in  the  history  of  providence  \ 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  361 

that  we  may  say,  the  most  ordinary  observers,  if  they  will 
not  shut  their  eyes,  cannot  want  a  conviction  thereof :  I 
shall  now  in  the  next  place  point  at  that  which  yet  re- 
maineth  of  the  prophetical  part  of  the  scripture,  to  be  ac- 
complished ;  those  prophecies  which  concern  the  churcli 
in  these  last  times.  Whereby  we  may  have  a  sure  de- 
monstration, how  far  the  night  is  spent,  and  ofthe  near 
approach  of  that  blessed  day  of  the  liberty  ofthe  sons  of 
God:  for  this  doth  finish  the  mystery  of  God,  and  fully 
perfecteth  his  work,  if  once  that  which  remaineth  of  the 
prophecies  ofthe  word  were  fulfilled. 

There  are  those  truths,  the  accomplishment  \vhereof  we 
have  a  sure  warrant  to  expect  before  the  end.  As  (1.)  The 
full  ruin,  and  downfall  of  Babylon.  (2.)  The  conversion 
and  incalling  ofthe  Jews  to  Jesus  Christ.  (3.)  A  solemn 
day  of  the  church's  nourishing,  both  Jews  and  Gentiles^ 
which  shall  follow  the  making  out  of  the  former  promise. 
(4.)  The  fall  and  destruction  ofthe  Turkish  empire,  that 
cruel  party  who  have  been  raised  up  and  established  for 
judgment,  with  whom  the  Lord  shall  yet  reckon,  for  all 
that  christian  blood  by  them  so  unjustly  shed.,  as  seemeth 
clearly  held  forth,  Rev.  xvi.  12.  (5.)  We  are  also  to  ex- 
pect, after  all  these,  that  full  and  last  stroke  upon  Gog  and 
Magog :  and  then  the  Lord  is  at  hand,  and  that  great  mysr 
tery  ofthe  prophecies  and  promises  of  the  scripture  shall 
then  be  finished,  and  at  a  blessed  close. 

I.  We  have  the  full  ruin  and  destruction  of  antichrist  and 
his  kingdom,  clearly  prophesied,  and  in  very  express  terms 
promised  to  the  church,  (2  Thes.  ii.  2,  8.  Rev.  xvi.  10, 
17.)  the  accomplishment  whereof  we  do  yet  according  to 
the  scripture  wait  for  ;  which  the  God  of  truth,  who  can- 
not lie  or  repent,  shall  in  due  time  assuredly  bring  about, 
and  which  approacheth  when  that  solemn  cry  shall  be  heard, 
Babylon  is  fallen  !  about  which  we  would  consider, 

1.  That  this  judgment  is  already  begun,  and  the  first 
step  thereof  visible  is  now  clear  ;  wherein  men  may  see 
the  event  most  exactly  answer  the  prophecy.  For  the 
Lord  hath  begun  to  consume  antichrist  by  the  breath  of  his 
mouth :  and  since  the  first  breaking  out  of  the  light,  his 
kingdom  hath  been  mouldering  down  before  the  word. 
Have  not  nations  fallen  off,  at  the  voice  of  the  preached 
gospel  ?  It  is  true,  the  church  wanteth  not  sore  conflicts, 
even  under  the  vials  :  and  it  is  the  Lord's  way,  to  try  his 
people  with  such  various^  uncertainties,  that  when  things 
have  been  most  promising,  another  providence  cometh 
like  a  cross  wave,  which  seemeth  to  drive  them  as  fkr 
back,  as  once  they  seemed  to  be  forward.    Yet  it  is  sure. 


262  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 


and  should  be  beyond  debate,  that  antichrist's  overthrow 
is  upon  a  present  advance,  and  that  work  of  the  Lord  for 
his  churcn's  deliverance  is  going  forward.  For  if  we  be- 
lieve salvation  by  Christ  upon  the  warrant  of  the  word, 
should  we  not  also  with  much  assurance  believe  that 
antichrists  wound  is  deadly  and  incurable,  which  he  hath 
got  by  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  which  all  the  physicians 
of  the  earth  shall  never  help. 

2.  This  is  one  of  the  greatest  and  most  signal  acts  of  the 
judgment  of  God  on  his  church's  enemies  ;  one  of  the 
most  eminent  manifestations  of  his  glory,  which  he  hath 
reserved  for  the  last  times,  wherein  the  appearance  of  his 
hand  and  great  power  shall  be  very  manifest ;  and  we  are 
to  expect  by  this  remarkable  stroke  that  way  shall  be  made 
for  that  glorious  house,  which  Christ  is  to  have  for  himself 
in  the  latter  days,  which  shall  be  built  upon  antichrist's  ru- 
ins, when  that  new  bride,  both  of  Jews  and  Gentiles,  shall 
be  prepared  for  the  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb. 

3.  Though  we  are  to  expect,  on  clear  ground  from  the 
word,  the  Lord's  eminent  appearing  by  his  immediate 
hand  in  this  great  work,  which  shall  be  so  convincing 
in  that  day,  and  witness  an  extraordinary  providence,  that 
all  lookers  on  must  with  fear  and  astonishment  confess, 
that  this  is  God's  own  work  :  yet  it  is  also  clear,  that  he 
will  therein  make  use  of  instruments,  fitted  and  chosen  for 
that  end,  who  shall  be  raised  and  acted  forth  with  a  more 
than  ordinary  spirit,  to  execute  the  vengeance  of  the  Lord, 
even  the  judgment  written :  amongst  whom  the  feeble  shall 
then  be  strong.  Yea,  we  have  ground  to  expect,  that  of 
the  kings  of  the  earth,  and  the  race  and  successors  of  those 
who  in  former  times  had  given  their  power  to  the  beast, 
shall  the  Lord  raise  up,  to  bate  the  whore,  and  make  her 
desolate.  O  blessed  are  they,  who  shall  have  a  hand  in  so 
noble  a  work,  to  sack  and  destroy  that  accursed  city,  built 
up  with  the  blood  of  the  saints  and  martyrs  of  Jesus  Christ. 

4.  We  are  not  to  bound  the  Lord,  as  to  any  particular 
time  for  accomplishing  this  piece  of  his  word  :  yet  we  have 
clear  ground  to  believe,  that  Babylon's  ruin  maketh  haste \ 
and  the  day  of  the  Lord  upon  her  is  near  ;  whose  sword  is 
hathed  in  heaven,  and  that  the  instruments  of  his  ven- 
geance are  making  ready.  One  stroke  upon  that  party  is 
already  past ;  antichrist  hath  begun  to  fall  before  the  word, 
and  must  fall  further  until  that  great  stroke,  which  shall  de- 
stroy his  seat  and  lay  waste  that^  land,  be  accomplished. 
Some  promising  evidences  of  its  near  approach  I  would 
here  point  at.  (1.)  The  niany  prayers  of  the  saints, 
^hich  are  now  before  the  throne,  and  cannot  fail  of  a  re- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  263 

turn.  Many  who  wrestled  oft  with  the  Lord  on  this  ac- 
count, though  they  are  gone,  yet  are  their  prayers  on  the 
file,  and  wait  for  this  solemn  manifestation  of  the  judgment 
of  God  :  and  the  blood  of  the  saints  doth  not  cease  to  cry% 
yea,  hath  as  loud  a  cry  as  ever.  (2.)  It  is  clear,  that  the 
preached  gospel  now  since  the  light  began  to  break  forth, 
doth  ripen  and  help  to  make  the  harvest  more  white,  than 
many  ages  formerly.  And  truly,  if  we  consider  how  long 
the  word  hath  been  sounding  a  retreat  to  that  party,  to 
come  out  of  Babylon,  and  that  for  these  150  years,  they 
have  been  still  acting  in  opposition  to  so  clear  a  light,  to 
such  a  solemn  call,  so  many  warnings,  yea,  to  such  con- 
vincing discovery  of  the  ford's  being  against  them  in  very 
remarkable  providences,  doth  it  not  shew,  at  what  an  height 
their  sin  this  day  is,  and  an  obstinate  rejecting  of  cure  ? 
(3.)  We  cannot  but  see  how  that  judgment  which  should 
be  poured  forth  on  antichrist  under  the  vials,  is  in  a  great 
measure  now  verified  in  the  event.  (4.)  It  is  clear,  and 
consonant^  to  the  scripture,  that  the  Lord's  work  is  now 
hastening  in  the  latter  days,  providence  in  a  swift  motion, 
and  making  great  advance,  more  quick  changes  in  the  case 
of  the  church,  both  as  to  storms  and  calms,  and  her  trials 
now  must  not  be  so  long  as  in  former  time.  Rom.  ix.  28. 
He  will  cut  short  his  work  in  righteousness ;  for  a  short 
work  will  the  Lord  make  in  the  earth.  (5.)  That  antichrist 
and  his  followers  do  this  day  seem  to  be  at  such  an  advan- 
tage ;  the  Lord's  work  as  it  were  at  a  stand,  yea,  rather 
going  back.  This  late  reviving  of  antichristian  prelacy  in 
Britain  and  Ireland,  with  so  visible  a  growth  of  popery 
there,  and  so  dark  an  hour  upon  the  reformed  churches 
abroad,  I  think,  on  very  solid  grounds,  is  a  promising  evi- 
dence of  the  near  approach  of  a  further  stroke  on  that  party. 
For  it  is  clear,  both  from  the  word  and  God's  ordinary 
way  of  procedure,  how  a  sharp  storm  is  usually  previous  to 
some  remarkable  enlargement  of  the  church  ;  a  very  low 
ebb,  before  the  turning  of  the  tide  ;  yea,  that  every  step  of 
her  advance,  whereby  she  hath  gained  ground  on  anti- 
christ, hath  still  had  some  conflict  and  wrestling  going  be- 
fore :  and  thus  the  Lord,  by  suffering,  doth  ripen  his  peo- 
ple for  such  times  of  mercy.  For  which  times,  O  let  us 
pray  and  wait,  when  the  smoke  of  that  accursed  city  shall 
ascend  up  to  heaven,  and  his  people  be  made  to  triumph  in 
his  praise,  and  sing  that  song,  Hallelujah  /  Salvation,  glo- 
ry, and  honour  to  the  Lord  God,  who  hath  judged  the  great 
whore  !  Rejoice  over  her,  thou  heaven,  and  ye  holy  apostles 
and  prophets  :  for  God  hat k  avenged  you  upon  her. 


264  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture* 

II.  We  have  a  clear  prophecy  about  the  incalling  of  the 
Jews,  and  their  conversion  to  Christ  in  the  latter  days, 
held  forth  by  the  prophets,  and  in  the  New  Testament  very 
expressly  mentioned  :  the  fulfilling  whereof  the  church 
must  yet  wait  for,  and  long  after,  when  God  shall  bring 
again  the  captivity  of  his  ancient  people,  and  say  to  that 
valley  of  dry  bones,  Live  !  about  which  we  would  consid- 
er, Isa.  xi.  15.  jRom.xi.  24.  Rev!  xvi.  12. 

1.  That  this  promise  doth  not  only  concern  particular 
persons,  or  a  few,  but  the  body  and  generality  of  that  peo- 
ple, is  most  clear  from  the  scripture,  if  men  would  com- 
pareIsa.  xi.  11.  Zech.  xu.  10.  with  Rom  x\.  25.  Where; 
it  is  undeniable,  that  their  gathering  must  be  as  full  and 
remarkable,  as  their  scattering :  and  as  there  is  no  nation 
so  remote  whither  some  of  them  are  this  day  driven,  that 
shall  not  hinder  the  fulfilling  of  the  promise  ;  but  as  Isaiah 
sheweth,  the  Lord  shall  then  assemble  the  dispersed  and 
outcasts ,  and  bring  them  back  from  the  four  corners  of  the 
earthy  and  furthest  places  thereof.  Yea,  doth  not  the  apos- 
tle expressly  shew,  that  it  is  all  Israel,  whereat  this  prom- 
ise pointeth  ?  For  though  they  are  enemies  concerning  the 
gospel,  yet  are  they  beloved  for  the  fathers'*  sakes,  because 
of  the  covenant  which  was  made  with  Abraham  and  his 
seed.  And  truly  we  have  in  this,  ground  also  to  expect 
something  further  than  their  conversion  ;  that  in  this  day 
the  Lord  shall  raise  up  the  tabernacle  of  David  which  is 
fallen,  and  plant  them  upon  their  own  land.  Amos  ix.  11, 

15.  Not  only  bring  them  to  a  visible  church  state,  but 
even  therewith  some  temporal  restitution  and  recollection 
of  them  as  a  nation  :  yea,  we  may  expect  a  return  of  the 
old  blessing  of  that  land's  fruitfulness,  which  I  think  is 
clearly  held  forth  in  that  of  Amos  ix.  14.  that  the  very  hills 
shall  drop  down  sweet  wine,  and  melt  as  it  were  in  outward 
blessings  on  them. 

2.  That  this  promise  hath  not  yet  had  an  accomplish- 
ment, is  also  clear  from  the  word.  For  it  must  follow  the 
rejection  of  that  people,  and  should  not  take  place  until  the 
fulness  of  the  Genti  'es  be  brought  in :  which  harvest  for 
many  ages  after  was  not  to  be  reaped.  Yea,  did  not  the 
apostle  hold  this  forth  as  a  mystery,  a  piece  of  the  scrip- 
ture which  the  ancient  Jewish  church  could  not  well  com- 
prehend, when  it  was  pointed  at  prophets,  and  even  at  that 
time  was  not  understood  ?  Which  surely  could  have  been 
no  ;?zysfcry,  if  their  conversion  had  reached  no  further  than 
the  apostles'  time  ;  and  it  is  known,  how  small  a  number 
Since  of  that  people  hath  yet  been  brought  into  Christ. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  265 

3.  We  have  much  ground  from  the  scripture,  that  this  day, 
this  great  clay  oi'fezreel,  shall  be  a  very  remarkable  and  sol- 
emn time  :  which  will  cause  astonishment  to  the  nations 
round  about,  and  make  a  wonderful  change  on  the  face 
of  the  earth  ;  a  time  of  God's  eminent  appearance  for  that 
people,  when  his  singular  respect  shall  be  as  manifest,  as 
formerly  his  great  displeasure  and  anger  was  ;  a  time,  on 
which  many  of  the  choicest  mercies  of  the  church  do  cer- 
tainly wait,  the  return  of  many  prayers,  a  large  pouring 
forth  of  the  Spirit ,•  even  on  the  body  cf  that  people  and  on 
all  ranks,  not  only  the  families  of  David,  Nathan,  and 
im,  but  also  the  families  of  Shimei,  with  a  large  dispen- 
sation of  gifts  ;  yea,  such  a  time,  wherein  the  converted  of 
Israel  shall  then  see  and  understand  how  far  the  glory  of 
the  second temple  doth  exceed that  of  the  first,  and  shall  be 
a  very  conspicuous  part  of  Christ's  universal  kingdom, 
eminent  for  the  power  and  purity  of  the  ordinances,  to 
which  others  shall  look  as  to  a  most  choice  and  excellent 
pattern  of  a  purely  reformed  and  glorious  church. 

4.  Beside  the  promise  of  him,  who  is  not  like  man  to 
lie,  or  the  son  of  man  to  repent,  there  want  not  some  very 
convincing  providences,  to  confirm  our  faith  concerning 
this  :  if  we  consider  how  this  people  are  still  kept  by  them- 
selves, amidst  all  their  scatterings  not  mixed  or  incorporat- 
ed with  other  nations,  which  is  most  usual  through  long 
converse,  that  people  of  several  parts  of  the  earth  will  unite 
and  join  in  one.  Is  not  their  great  increase  also  remarka- 
ble ?  What  great  multitudes  of  them  are  in  the  eastern 
parts,  yea,  through  most  of  Asia,  Africa,  and  in  those 
places  of  Europe  where  the  christian  church  is  ?  and  all 
this  time  their  land  not  possessed,  but  by  a  rabble  of  the 
Turks,  under  whose  yoke  they  groan.  And  though  the 
genealogies  of  particular  families  are  at  this  day  much  lost, 
yet  there  is  still  so  much  sure  and  evident,  as  to  the  series 
and  genealogy  of  the  nation,  that  doth  diference  them  from 
any  other  people. 

5.  It  is  true,  the  authority  of  the  word  should  silence  all 
our  thoughts  how  so  great  a  thing  shall  be  brought  about  : 
yet  we  may  judge,  that  (as  a  mean)  this  shall  eminently 
contribute  to  the  same,  such  a  convincing  stroke  upon  anti- 
christ which  must  go  before  their  conversion,  wherein  so 
manifest  an  appearance  of  Goo,  and  the  fulfilling  of  one 
of  the  greatest  promises  of  the  New  Testament,  cannot 
but  stare  them  in  the  face  ;  and  with  this  the  taking  away 
of  that  stumbling  block  of  idolatry,  which  hath  so  long- 
helped  to  harden  them  against  the  profession  of  the  gou 
pel. 

X  K 


266  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

I  must  shut  up  this  with  a  sad  regret,  that  whilst  we  have 
so  clear  a  promise  there  is  no  more  tender  respect,  and  fur- 
ther essay  to  promote  the  good  of  that  people.  Who 
knoweth,  what  a  blessing  might  attend  the  use  of  ordinary 
means  ?  since  this  is  an  unquestionable  duty,  and  men 
know  not,  when  they  sow  the  seed,  whether  this  or  that 
shall  prosper,  alas  !  that  the  usual  deportment  of  christians, 
with  whom  they  converse,  doth  oft  further  help  to  heighten 
their  prejudice  against  Christianity  ;  let  us  long  and  pray 
more  for  this  day,  a  day  which  shall  bring  so  great  a  bless- 
ing with  it  to  the  Gentiles. 

III.  There  are  many  prophecies  both  in  the  Old  and 
New  Testament,  that  do  clearly  point  at  a  great  flourish- 
ing and  prosperity  in  the  days  of  the  gospel :  which  I  hum- 
bly conceive,  are  not  yet  fully  maele  out,  but  shall  have  a 
more  remarkable  accomplishment  before  the  close  of  time. 
Isa.  lxv.  25.  lxvi.  12.  Mic.  iv.  1,  2. 

I  confess,  the  event  will  be  the  surest  commentary ;  and 
until  this  appear,  men  should  be  sober  and  cautious,  that 
they  darken  not  the  counsel  of  God,  anel  his  truth,  with  any 
wild  fancy,  and  aim  to  be  wise  above  that  which  is  written  : 
yet  I  must  think,  that  there  are  great  things  laid  up  in 
these  promises  for  the  church,  that  we  cannot  now  well 
reach  ;  yea,  would  scarce  get  believed,  until  the  appointed 
time  unveil  their  meaning.  I  shall  here  but  only  touch 
how  it  may  appear  these  promises  are  not  yet  fully  accom- 
plished, and  what  with  a  safe  warrant  we  may  expect  in 
their  accomplishment.  As  to  the  firsts  we  would  consieler 
these  things, 

1.  That  these  great  premises,  which  hold  forth  so  emi- 
nent an  enlargement  and  flourishing  of  theshurch,  elo  also 
point  at  some  particular  limited  time  ;  some  period  and 
revolution  of  the  church's  condition,  which  is  not  agreea- 
ble and  common  to  other  times  ;  until  which  these  prom- 
ises do  not  take  place. 

2.  This  promised  flourishing  concerneth  both  Jews  and 
Gentiles,  and  the  word  doth  clearly  point  at  some  further 
increase  of  the  Gentile  church  by  the  calling  of  the  Jews  : 
which  must  have  a  peculiar  respect  to  that  solemn  time  of 
Israel's  restoration,  and  antichrist's  ruin  ;  a  time,  on  which 
the  return  of  many  prayers,  and  the  fulfilling  of  many  prom- 
ises in  the  behalf  of  the  church,  do  surely  wait.  So  that 
as  Isaiah  and  other  of  the  prophets  do  put  over  this  great 
flourishing  of  the  church  to  the  days  of  the  gospel,  the 
apostle,  Rom.  xi.  doth  point  at  a  more  precise  time, 
wherein  this  in  a  larger  measure  shall  be  made  out. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture,  267 

3.  We  cannot  find  the  christian  church  did  ever  enjoy  so 
great  an  enlargement  and  flourishing  state  as  these  prom- 
ises seem  to  import.  For  persecution  and  suffering  hath 
most  been  her  lot,  first  from  the  Jews,  next  from  her  hea- 
then adversaries,  and  last  from  antichrist,  whose  fall  and 
ruin,  we  have  ground  to  expect,  shall  make  room  for  so 
great  an  increase  of  the  church  :  for,  how  much  power 
antichrist  hath,  in  so  far  is  the  church  kept  under  ;  yea,  it 
is  clear  how  very  short  all  her  breathings  have  been. 

4.  It  would  appear,  so  solemn  a  time  of  the  church's 
flourishing,  whereat  the  prophets  did  so  oft  point,  as  it 
hath  an  undoubted  respect  to  the  days  of  the  gospel,  so  in 
its  full  accomplishment  must  answer  to  that  remarkable 
day  of  S atari* s  binding  and  the  saints'*  reign  with  Christ, 
when  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth  become  the  Lord's  ;  which 
we  find  doth  immediately  precede  Satan's  last  loosing,  and 
his  going  forth  to  gather  his  broken  forces,  for  that  great 
battle,  which  is  to  be  very  near  the  end. 

I  shall  but  add,  we  have  ground  to  judge,  the  Lord  will 
usher  in  that  glorious  everlasting  state  of  the  church,  even 
by  some  preparative  degrees  here  :  the  latter  times  are 
there  to  be  reckoned  the  more  blessed,  the  more  near  they 
approach  to  the  dawning  of  glory. 

Now,  in  the  second  place,  I  shall  but  point  at  some 
things,  which  with  a  safe  warrant  we  may  understand  and 
look  after  in  the  accomplishment  of  these  promises. 

It  is  very  clear,  they  hold  forth  a  great  enlargement  to  the 
universal  church,  both  of  Jews  and  Gentiles.  Particular 
churches  may  be  in  a  sad  withering  condition,  whilst  other 
parts  do  flourish  :  but  these  promises  seem  to  point  at  a 
day,  which  will  concern  the  saints  in  all  corners  of  the 
earth,  who  shall  not  want  their  share  with  the  rest  of  that 
blessed  time.  It  may  be  also  clear,  some  more  bright  and 
hot  sunshine  of  the  gospel  is  held  forth  ;  some  such  remark- 
able spring  tide  of  the  Spirit,  that  shall  be  as  discernible 
as  the  church's  low  ebb,  sometimes  was  ;  a  day  of  the 
great  power  of  God,  his  presence  very  manifest  among  his 
people  and  with  the  ordinances,  beyond  former  times  ;  so 
that  Ezek.  xlviii.  35.  The  name  of  that  place  shall  be  call- 
ed Jehovah  Shammah,  the  Lord  is  there.  Yea,  that  in  this 
day  Christ's  visible  kingdom,  in  a  settled  church  state',  shall 
more  em'mtxwly  flourish  ■:  and  the  flowing  in  of  people  and 
nations  with  much  fervour,  who  shall  j oin  themselves  to  the 
Lord,  pure  ordinances,  a  more  universal  sameness  amongst 
the  worshippers  of  God,  the  walk  of  christians  with  a  dis- 
cernible lustre  of  holiness,  will  be  made  to  commend  the 
gospel  ;  Chrises  goings  full  of  majesty,  and  the  shout  of  a 


263  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture, 

King  which  then  shall  be  heard  among  his  people  ;  the 
noise  of  such  sad  complaints  and  bitter  exercises  from  the 
spirit  of  bondage,  not  so  much  among  the  saints,  as  in 
former  times.  And  though  we  see  no  sure  ground  from  the 
word,  to  expect  such  a  favourable  time,  wherein  the  church 
militant  shall  not  have  trouble  and  persecution  from  the 
world  :  yet  there  seemeth  so  much  clearly  imported  in 
some  of  these  great  promises,  as  point  at  a  great  calm,  and 
more  favourable  gale  of  outward ^  prosperity,  which  the 
church  shall  then  have,  yea,  this  in  some  longer  continu- 
ance than  in  former  ages  ;  a  day,  wherein  the  haters  of  the 
Lord  shall  even  be  made  to  feign  subjection,  with  much  of 
the  countenance  and  concurrence  of  magistrates,  and  the 
civil  authority  in  behalf  of  the  church  ;  yea,  a  time  of  much 
holy  fear  amongst  the  people  of  God,  and  oi  much  terror 
and  awe  upon  his  enemies,  to  which  the  great  works  of  the 
Lord  in  that  time  shall  then  effectually  contribute,  and 
cause  them  to  fear  the  Lord  and  his  goodness  in  the  latter 
days. . 

IV.  There  is  a  special  prediction  of  Satan's  binding  up, 
or  restraint,  and  of  some  remarkable  reign  of  the  church 
with  Jesus  Christ,  held  forth,  Rev.  xx.  2.  The  full  accom- 
plishment of  which  we  on  clear  ground  may  judge,  is  not. 
already  come  :  yet  is  so  far  now  verified  in  the  event,  as 
may  clearly  witness  its  meaning,  and  let  us  see  how  at  this 
day  it  is  taking  place.  I  confess,  this  set  ins  one  of  the 
most  dark  and  abstruse  prophesies,  we  have  in  the  scrip- 
ture ;  on  which  there  hath  been  many  strange  thoughts  and 
glosses  held  forth  :  but  to  set  down  these  various  judgments 
of  men  on  the  truths  of  God,  I  humbly  think,  may  tend  to 
a  further  darkening  of  the  same,  more  than  to  any  solid  ed- 
ification. I  shall  only  offer  some  things  to  be  considered, 
which  by  undeniable  consequence  from  the  scripture  seem 
most  clear  and  obvious,  and  may  only  help  to  the  under- 
standing  this  prophecy,  but  that  manifest  correspondence 
which  is  betwixt  it  and  the  event  at  this  day. 

(1.)  There  can  be  no  debate,  this  solemn  time  of  the 
saints'*  reign  with  Christ  concerns  the  militant  condition  of 
the  church,  and  must  be  expected  here  on  the  earth,  not 
in  heaven.  And  therefore  we  find  immediately  after,  there; 
is  a  very  sore  assault  of  the  devil  held  forth,  who  should 
occasion  a  new  trial  to  the  church  ;  and  he  for  a  time  let 
loose,  to  deceive  the  nations.  (2.)  Since  the  scripture  is 
the  best  interpreter  of  itself,  we  must  here  understand 
(comparing  one  place  with  another)  this  raising  of  the 
saints  and  martyrs  of  Jesus  Christ  to  reign  with  him,  fig- 
uratively, and  in  suc|i  a  sense  as  that  is  Rev,  xi„  11,  must 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  269 

be  understood ;  to  wit,  a  rising  of  the  witnesses  in  the  scam 
spirit  and  power,  and  of  such  a  party  who  should  bear  the 
same:  testimony.  To  which  also  that  in  Mai.  iv.  5.  and 
Mat.  xi.  14.  about  John's  coming  in  the  same  spirit  of 
Elijah,  with  which  lie  did  appear  to  the  world,  gives  light. 
So  that  we  see  how  consonant  and  agreeable  the  scripture 
is  with  itself.  (3.)  Is  not  the  meaning  of  the  spirit  in  this 
prophecy  clear,  that  the  greatest  enlargement  of  the  church, 
yea,  and  of  the  longest  duration  and  continuance,  that  ic 
should  have  under  the  3>lew  Testament  unto  the  second 
coming  of  Christ,  is  held  forth  in  the  reign  of  the  saints  f 
So  that  it  manifestly  points  at  a  more  solemn  time,  a  more 
sweet  refreshing  interval,  which  shall  be  remarkable  both 
in  measure  and  duration  beyond  all  she  fbimerly  had  :  and 
shews,  that  there  is  no  such  happy  time  else  to  go  over  the 
church's  head,  till  she  be  triumphant  \\\  heaven.  There- 
fore  it  is  called,  by  way  of  eminence,  the  church's  reign^ 
considered  comparatively  with  any  other  such  change* 
(4.)  Is  it  not  very  clear,  that  this  so  remarkable  time  can- 
not be  judged  previous  to  antichrist's  coming,  nor  under 
his  advance  and  growth  'i  Since,  first,  this  points  expressly 
at  those  who  were  beheaded  for  the  witness  of  Christ,  and 
had  not  worshipped  the  beast  and  his  image,  nor  received 
his  mark,  who  should  thus  be  raised  to  reign  with  Christ. 
(2.)  We  find  that  it  doth  very  immediately  precede  that 
last  assault  the  church  shall  have,  upon  Satan's  loosing,  to 
gather  the  nations  to  that  great  battle  ;  and  so  must  concern 
these  last  times,  when  the  Lord  is  pouring  out  his  vials  up- 
on the  throne  and  kingdom  of  the  beast-  It  is  strange 
when  the  scripture  is  so  plain,  that  some  choice  and  exceU 
lent  men,  writing  on  this  prophecy,  will  have  it  contempo- 
rary with  the  church's  condition  before  antichrist's  appear- 
ance :  for  it  is  sure  if  by  the  be astjind  his  image  and  marh% 
antichrist  must  be  understood,  and  if  there  be  but  one  great 
assault  mentioned  after  this,  which  the  church  militant 
shall  have  before  the  close  of  time,  this  prophecy,  must 
now  be  fulfilling,  and  with  no  other  time  before  this  could 
quadrate,  according  to  the  scripture.  (5.)  Is  it  not  clear, 
that  this  great  restraint  of  Satan  is  no  such  absolute  binding 
that  will  put  the  church  wholly  beyond  trouble  and  reach 
of  his  assaults  ?  No,  this  belongs  to  heaven,  and  is  there 
only  to  be  expected.  But  the  scripture  very  evidently 
shews,  this  shall  be  such  a  binding  up  of  Satan,  that  he 
should  not  deceive  the  nations,  nor  have  that  wonted  power 
to  darken  the  face  of  the  church  by  any  great  or  universal 
apostacy,  during  this  time.  And  I  am  sure,  it  is  undenia- 
ble, that  since  the  church's  raising  from  under  antichrist. 


270  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

Satan  hath  been  thus  restrained  :  and  by  all  his  violent  as- 
saults,  he  hath  not  reached  the  full  withdrawing  of  any  one 
nation  which  was  brought  under  the  yoke  of  the  gospel ; 
whatever  may  be  said  of  poor  Bohemia,  by  a  violent  course 
of  persecution  so  borne  down,  that  this  once  famous  church 
is  now  scattered  in  other  places  where  there  are  yet  con- 
siderable numbers,  yea,  it  is  not  altogether  without  hope, 
that  the  great  avenger  of  blood  will  yet  visit  her  cruel  usage 
on  that  bloody  Austrian  family,  and  return  yet  her  captivi- 
ty again,  when  it  seems  now  furthest  off  and  hopeless. 
(6.)  Must  we  not  see,  that  this  great  sunshine,  as  it  takes 
in  antichrist's  fall,  hath  a  special  respect  also  to  Israel's  re  - 
turn  and  conversion  ?  Which,  according  to  the  scripture, 
is  one  of  the  most  solemn  and  flourishing  times  that  the 
christian  church  shall  have,  and  therefore  shall  be  to  the 
Gentiles  as  life  from  the  dead.  Now,  do  but  seriously  judge 
what  the  church's  condition  hath  been  through  all  the  times 
of  the  New  Testament,  first  under  heathens,  and  after  un- 
der the  tyranny  of  antichrist,  and  now  how  far  providence 
does  unfold  the  meaning  of  this  prophecy  in  the  event, 
since  the  man  of  sin  began  to  decline  ;  and  I  humbly  judge 
it  may  be  easy  to  see,  that  at  this  day  it  is  clearly  taking 
place,  though  this  solemn  reign  be  not  yet  advanced  to  its 
greatest  pitch,  but  will  have  a  more  remarkable  period  ere 
this  prophecy  be  fully  made  out.  I  shall  but  add,  this  res- 
urrection mentioned  in  the  prophecy,  must  be  in  a  spiritual 
sense  understood,  and  can  be  no  bodily  raising  of  the 
saints  ;  since  it  is  so  expressly  there  called  the  first  resur- 
rection, to  distinguish  it  from  the  second,  and  is  held  forth 
in  an  opposition  to  the  first  death. 

V.  We  have  a  prophecy  held  forth,  Rev.  xvi.  12, 
which  compared  with  Rev.  ix.  13.  seemeth  clearly  to  point 
at  the  fall  and  destruction  of  the  Turkish  empire,  who  have 
been  these  many  ages  so  great  a  scourge  to  the  christian 
world.  For  it  is  manifest  that  this  drying  up  of  the  river 
Euphrates  must  relate  to  the  very  party,  which  we  find  in 
that  9th  chap,  raised  up  from  about  that  river,  where  the 
Turk  hath  so  considerable  a  part  of  his  dominions.  It  is 
true,  the  event  will  more  clearly  make  this  known  :  Yet 
these  things  are  undeniable, 

1.  That  such  a  party  was  foretold  by  John,  in  that  9th 
chap,  and  a  solemn  warning  given  to  the  church,  of  so 
dreadful  a  storm  ;  the  time  also  there  pointed  forth,  when 
antichrist  should  be  at  a  great  height  \  yea,  the  portrait 
of  such  an  adversary  most  evidently  held  forth,  such  as  in- 
deed they  were  found  to  be,  a  terrible  cruel  destroying  par- 
ty, and  therefore  are. said  to  have  breastplates  of  fire  ;  their 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  211 

number  also  there  held  out  to  be  a  very  great  multitude? 
which  those  huge  armies  usually  brought  by  the  Turk  to 
the  field,  can  witness. 

2.  The  cause  why  the  Lord  should  raise  up  so  dreadful 
an  enemy,  and  thus  let  them  loose,  is  also  expressly  de- 
clared in  that  9th  chap.  20th  ver.  that  it  was  in  judgment, 
and  for  a  plague  on  men,  for  antichristian  idolatry,  which 
then  had  so  much  overspread  the  earth  :  and  it  was  no 
wonder,  when  so  much  of  the  visible  church  was  turned 
almost  brutish  in  their  religion,  and  from  the  pure  worship 
of  God  was  carried  after  idols  of  gold  and  silver,  the  work 
of  men's  hands,  that  so  brutish  and  barbarous  an  adversary 
should  be  let  out  for  a  scourge.  I  truly  think,  that  as  anti- 
christ, and  the  abominations  of  that  party,  hath  been  hith- 
erto the  let  of  success  against  the  Turk  ;  so  we  are  not  to 
expect  the  prospering  of  any  such  design,  and  his  fall  and 
ruin,  until  the  cause  be  removed,  for  which  the  Lord  did 
make  use  of  this  dreadful  rod. 

3.  That  such  a  party  was  raised  up,  according  to  the 
prophecy,  yea,  at  the  appointed  time  thereof,  is  very  clear, 
who  like  a  mighty  deluge  did  overthrow  a  great  part  of  the 
earth,  and  with  strange  prodigious  success  did  overrun 
much  ©f  Asia,  some  parts  of  Africa,  and  brake  in  on  Eu- 
rope, to  give  work  to  those  kings  and  great  men,  and  be  a 
scourge  to  them,  who  had  given  their  power  to  uphold  the 
throne  of  the  beast* 

4.  There  is  also  clear  ground  from  the  scripture,  that  the 
Lord  shall  as  eminently  appear  in  the  fcdl  and  destruction 
of  this  adversary,  as  in  the  raising  of  them  up  ;  and  that  by 
their  fall,  he  is  to  make  way  for  the  accomplishing  of  his 
promise,  about  the  churches  further  increase,  his  ancient 
people,  whereto  this  prophecy  seems  to  have  a  particular 
respect.  This  we  are  to  look  for,  as  one  of  the  great  works 
of  the  Lord,  that  is  reserved  for  the  latter  days,  which  shall 
no  less  shew  forth  his  power  and  glory,  even  the  drying  up 
of  that  great  Euphrates,  than  in  the  day  that  he  divided  the 
sea,  and  made  Jordan  a  dry  channel  for  his  people  to  go 
through.  We  are  not  to  be  further  positive  about  means 
and  instruments,  how  such  a  thing  shall  be  brought  about  : 
it  is  enough,  what  the  Lord  hath  spoken  ;  and  the  word 
that  is  gone  out  of  his  mouth,  shall  not  return  empty. 

VI.  Now  to  close  this,  there  is  yet  one  great  assault, 
which  we  find  the  church  shall  have  before  the  end,  and 
then  for  warfare  will  be  near  finished :  about  which  the 
scripture  is  clear,  that  Satan  for  a  little  time  must  be  let 
loose,  and  that  solemn  and  perfect  victory,  which  the 
church  in  the  close  of  time  will  get  over  all  her  adversaries. 


'2 1'2  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

shall  be  ushered  in  with  a  very  sharp  trial,  and  once  again 
this  ungodly  world  will  shew  its  rage,  rally  its  broken  scat- 
tered forces  in  a  general  muster  (Rev.  xx.  8.)  with  as 
much  fury  as  ever  :  and  then  shall  the  Lord  eminently  ap~ 
pear,  that  by  one  full  stroke  he  may  for  ever  decide  that 
long  continued  war  and  feud  betwixt  the  church  and  her 
enemies.  A  deliverance,  which  as  k  will  be  the  last,  so 
one  of  the  greatest  that  ever  the  church  had  ;  the  Lord  thus 
finishing  hrs  work  of  providence,  by  so  stately  and  magnif- 
icent a  close  ?  And  truly,  after  this,  we  know  no  more  of 
canonic  scripture  to  be  fulfilled,  but  the  coining  of  the 
Lord,  when  the  poor,  tost,  afflicted  church  shall  enter  into 
a  triumphant  estate ,  above  all  the  violence  and  oppression  of 
men.  O  blessed,  and  long  looked  for  day  of  Christ's  re- 
turn to  judgment,  when  the  dust  of  the  saint s,  that  for  some 
thousand  years  past  have  been  resting  in  hope,  shall  awake  ; 
and  this  earth  and  all  the  glory  thereof,  like  a  poor  vain 
shew,  disappear  !  O  blessed  and  comfortable  time,  in 
which  the  saints  shall  then  fully  know  what  heaven  is, 
which  they  have  so  oft  admired  at  a  distance  !  shall  behold 
bis  face,  in  whose  presence  is  fulness  of  joy  !  and  shall  need 
no  further  confirmations  of  the  truth  of  the  word,  when 
once  this  great  promise  of  the  Lord's  return  is  verified,  a 
promise  ;  wherein  all  those  precious  truths,  which  con- 
cerned the  church  in  her  journey,  as  so  many  streams, 
shall  empty  themselves  in  this  great  deep  !  Then  there  is  no 
more  to  do,  the  work  of  the  gospel  is  finished,  the  redeem- 
ed all  brought  in,  and  the  bride  made  ready  to  go  forth  and 
meet  him,  who  shall  fully  satisfy  and  comfort  his  people, 
according  to  the  days  of  their  former  affliction,  and  be  for 
ever  their  exceeding  great  reward. 

THE    FIFTH    ARGUMENT. 

THAT  which  not  only  is  for  the  most  part  already  ac- 
complished, but  is  a  thing  whereof  we  have  so  sure  confir- 
mations, yea,  so  great  a  pledge  in  our  hand  from  the  Lord, 
that  what  yet  remaineth  shall  be  certainly  fulfilled,  must  it 
not  be  an  "undoubted  truth  ?  But  the  scripture,  as  to  those 
special  predictions  that  are  not  yet  made  out,  is  such,  con- 
cerning which  the  Lord  hath  given  his  people  a  very  large 
tiledge  and  strong  confirmations^  now  in  these  latter  times, 
to  believe  their  certain  accomplishment.     Therefore,  £sfc. 

It  is  sure,  that  a  part  of  the  scripture,  some  special  proph- 
• en  s,  which  do  concern  the  state  of  the  church  in  tl 
:  ist  times,  hath  not  yet  had  an  accomplishment ;  which  are 
already  touched  in  the  former  argument,  and  are  indeed  so 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  273 

gieat  concerning  truths,  that  may  cause  us  to  sit  clown,  and 
wonder,  when  we  think  these  shall  shortly  come  to  pass  ! 
Yet  such,  whereof  we  may  be  fully  persuaded,  if  we  con- 
sider, that  they  are  held  forth  and  promised  by  him  who  is 
the  God  of  truth,  and  the  begun  performance  hereof  now 
so  manifest,  yea,  what  hath  been  the  Lord's  way,  and  the 
eminent  providences  of.  these  last  times,  which  may  fully 
satisfy  our  spirits,  that  God's  work  is  near  to  a  close*  and 
the  accomplishing  of  the  whole  scripture  now  at  hand. 

I  shall  here  point  at  some  special  grounds,  whence  the 
godly  in  these  times  may  be  thoroughly  confirmed  about  the 
truth  and  certain  fulfilling  of  the  scripture,  and  those  proph~ 
ecies  thereof,  that  yet  are  not  fulfilled :  which  we  should 
look  on  as  a  very  convincing  pledge  in  our  hand  of  the 
same., 

I.  Is  not  the  being  of  the  world,  yea,  the  heavens  and  the 
earth  which  we  see,  with  the  continued  course  of  nature, 
given  from  the  Lord,  and  held  forth  to  his  people,  as  a  wit- 
ness to  his  truth,  and  a  sure  pledge  to  confirm  their  faith  of 
its  accomplishment  ?  That  when  we  look  upon  the  heavens 
or  the  earth,  we  may  there  read  a  visible  seal  of  the  certain 
performance  of  the  whole  scripture  of  God,  which  for  that 
very  end  are  set  before  our  eyes.  We  have  this  clear, 
Jer.  xxxiii.  20.  that  the  covenant  with  the  day  and  the 
night  is  there  given  to  the  church  to  confirm  that  cove- 
nant betwixt  the  Lord  and  his  people.  This  also  is  held 
forth,  Jer.  xxxi.  35.  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  who  giveth  the 
sun  for  a  light  by  day,  and  the  moon  and  stars  bi/  night,  if 
these  ordinances  shall  dtp  art,  then  may  the  seed  of  Israel  cease 
and  fail  from  being  a  nation.  It  is  also  clear,  Ps.  lxxxix„ 
2.  That  the  faithfulness  of  God  is  established  in  the  very 
heavens  ;  and  these  given  as  a  special  convincing  pledge, 
to  confirm  the  faith  of  his  people  in  the  matter  of  his  truth, 
arid  of  the  performance  of  his  word  :  for  which,  we  will 
find  in  ver.  37th  of  that  Fsalm,  the  sun  and  moon  given  to 
the  church  as  a  witness.  Is  not  the  rainbow  also,  Gen.  ix, 
(though  not  natural,  but  an  instituted  sign,  because  there  is 
no  correspondence  betwixt  the  sign,  and  the  thing  signified) 
given  as  a  visible  sign  of  the  covenant* of  God,  to  seal  unto 
men  the  assurance  of  his  word  and  promise  '{ 

I  must  think  it  strange,  that  we  do  not  consider  this 
world,  and  look  on  the  frame  thereof  with  more  astonish- 
ment, yea,  that  it  is  not  a  greater  and  more  marvellous 
thing  in  our  eyes,  if  we  would  but  think  seriously,  Whence 
li  is,  and  how  it  c.ime  to  have  a  being  !  let  us  suppose  one 
were  brought  forth  into  the  light,  from  a  dark  place  where 
he  had  never  seen  it  before,  and  there  let  his  eyes  wander 

L  I, 


274  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

a  little  upon  the  heavens  and  the  earth,  O  what  a  dazzling 
and  amazing  sight  would  that  be  !  But  it  must  be  said,  we 
look  on  these  every  day,  yet  know  not  how  to  read  or  un- 
derstand what  is  written  thereon  ;  Oh  this  great  universe 
is  for  the  most  part  as  a  sealed  book. 

But  for  clearing  of  this  truth,  there  are  two  things  we 
should  gravely  consider.  (1.)  Something  which  must  be 
previously  known  and  believed,  that  those  visible  heavens 
and  earth  are  the  very  work  and  product  of  this  God,  whose 
word  and  promise  we  have  in  the  scripture,  and  have  their 
being  and  original  from  him  :  for  otherwise  there  could  be 
no  reasoning  from  these,  about  the  truth  of  his  word. 
(2.)  We  should  also  consider,  what  a  convincing  pledge 
is  here,  for  confirming  our  faith  of  the  scripture,  and  of 
the  sure  performance  of  all  that  is  yet  remaining  thereof  to 
be  accomplished. 

As  to  the  first,  it  might  seem  unnecessary  so  much  as 
once  to  mention  it,  since  it  is  so  little  questioned,  or  under 
debate  ;  but  oh  !  it  is  too  clear,  that  many  truths  are  easily 
admitted,  which  are  not  really  '-believed.  I  know  the 
world  would  find  it  hard  to  shift  so  manifest  a  demonstra- 
tion, that  this  universe  is  the  work  and  product  of  the  great 
God,  when  there  is  in  it  so  bright  a  discovery  of  infinite 
power  and  wisdom.  Truly  it  is  strange,  how  men  could 
admit  its  being,  who  have  denied  its  beginning,  which  not 
only  by  faith  we  understand,  but  is  most  evident  from  sol- 
id grounds  of  reason :  and  though  men  are  undone  with 
implicit  faith  and  a  common  assent  to  the  greatest  funda- 
mental truths,  without  any  solid  persuasion  thereof,  yet 
the  greatest  atheists  cannot  keep  off  the  discovery  of  this, 
but  by  keeping  at  a  distance  from  it.  Which  truly  Aristo- 
tle and  others  of  those  ancients  did  not  so  much  deny  the 
same,  but  not  knowing  the  scripture,  they  could  not  know 
how  it  should  be.  Thence  Epicurus  and  others  of  his 
followers  finding  that  they  could  not  solve  the  phenomena 
of  nature,  and  shun  unanswerable  absurdities,  if  they  ad- 
mitted  an  eternity  of  the  world,  did  fall  on  such  an  irration- 
al fancy,  to  avoid  this,  of the  fortuitous  concourse  of  atoms  ; 
yea,  some  held  an  eternal  preexistence  of  the  first  mat- 
ter :  winch  pitiful  notions  may  shew  what  sad  case  men 
are  in,  who  grope  after  the  truth  by  the  twilight  of  nature, 
and  are  strangers  to  the  scripture.  But  I  leave  this,  and 
shall  only  touch  a  little  some  most  clear  and  satisfying  evi- 
dences of  this  truth,  that  the  beginning  and  original  of  the 
world  is  not  more  clear  from  the  scripture,  than  it  is  also 
demonstrable  from  solid  convincing  grounds  of  reason. 
And  truly  a  clear  discovery  of  this  hath  a  further  reach, 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  275 

than  may  be  apprehended,  to  give  the  atheism  of  men  a 
deadly  stroke,  and  shake  all  its  grounds.  Now  let  these 
few  things  be  seriously  considered,  (l.)  If  you  confess 
there  is  a  Deity,  that  God  blessed  for  ever  is,  must  you  not 
necessarily  admit  a  creation  and  beginning  f  since  eternity 
is  a  thing",  that  is  only  communicable  to  the  first  cause  : 
and  you  cannot  conceive  that  the  earth  could  produce  it- 
self;  for  to  exist,  and  not  to  exist  at  the  same  time,  is  a 
contradiction.  And  I  am  sure,  they  must  shut  their  eyes, 
who  do  not  every  where  discern  some  witness  of  the  glon- 
ous  being  of  God.  (2.)  You  cannot  deny,  that  there  is 
such  a  thing  as  time  ;  since  there  is  no  judging  days  and 
years  and  ages  to  be  infinite,  or  how  one  thing  in  a  contin- 
ued order  should  go  before  another,  without  coming  to 
some  first  and  beginning.  (3.)  Does  not  this  gradual  ad- 
vance of  human  knowledge  in  the  earth,  and  that  further 
discovery,  which  arts  and  sciences  have  made,  by  a  contin- 
ued improvement  of  the  same,  witness  very  clearly  a  be- 
ginning and  original  of  the  world  ?  For  ye  could  not  con- 
ceive a  perpetual  succession  of  mankind,  with  a  constant  es- 
say s&ter  further  knowledge,  with  such  a  continued  progress 
in  experience,  as  an  eternity  (supposed  before  this)  would 
produce,  and  yet  the  most  concerning  arts  and  sciences, 
yea,  the  choicest  experiments  and  inventions  we  have  in  the 
world,  to  be  of  so  late  a  rise  and  date  ;  such  as  the  use  of 
printing,  and  of  the^ mariner's  compass  by  the  loadstone, 
the  use  of  guns,  the  improvement  of  minerals  in  medicine ; 
yea,  the  very  motion  and  convoy  of  the  blood  in  man's 
body;  which  are  but  of  late  discovery.  (4.)  May  not  so 
short  a  history  which  to  this  day  we  have  of  the  world, 
witness  its  late  original,  and  that  it  is  of  no  eternal  dura- 
tion ?  since  the  most  ancient  records  of  time,  or  of  things 
past,  do  not  exceed  some  thousands  of  years.  And  couid 
this  be  possibly  conceived,  that  infinite  ages  preceding  (if 
such  had  been)  should  give  no  account,  nor  leave  a  re- 
membrance to  posterity,  when  these  late  ages  hold  so  much 
forth  ?  Yea,  how  could  it  be,  that  it  is  but  of  late  one  part 
of  the  world  is  known,  and  discovered  to  another  part 
thereof?  (5.)  It  is  very  manifest,  from  the  known  records 
we  have  of  past  times,  what  hath  been  the  rise  and  increase 
of  nations  ;  yea,  how  a  great  pan  of  men  have  from  a  rude 
and  savage  estate  been  brought  into  society,  and  under 
laws  and  government  ;  which  shews,  this  world  must  be 
of  a  short  duration  ;  which  none  could  conceive,  by  admit- 
ting such  a  supposal  of  its  eternal  being.  (6  )  It  is  sure, 
man  is  born  and  dies,  and  in  that  ordinary  way  of  generation 
mankind  is  still  propagated  :  and  is  not  here  the  world's  be- 


276  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

ginning  very  obvious  ?  For  you  cannot  judge,  that  men 
should  beget  other  eternity,  without  goirig  back  at  last  to 
some  first  man,  who  could  not  beget  himself.  (7.)  If 
eternity  be  preferable  to  time,  can  you  judge  the  most  ex- 
cellent things  of  the  earth,  such  as  man,  and  next  trrito  him 
the  beasts,  are  perishing,  and  only  these  things  which  are 
inanimate,  and  the  mass  of  the  earth  whereon  they  tread, 
are  of  a  perpetual  duration  ?  (8.)  It  is  manifest,  what  an 
increase  a  few  men  (not  to  speak  of  other  living  creatures) 
may  in  an  ordinary  way  have,  to  people  a  vast  country, 
even  in  some  ages.'  Now  is  it  not  thus  clear,  the  world 
can  be  of  no  eternal  duration  ?  For,  if  you  should  this  way 
turn  back  on  an  infinite  number  of  ages,  and  suppose  that 
every  age  should  but  add  and  multiply  to  the  race  of  man 
two  or  three,  it  would  come  at  last  to  this,  the  earth  could 
not  bear  them  :  since  we  must  thus  suppose  some  infinite 
increase,  from  an  infinite  continuance  of  the  world,  which 
no  wars  or  consuming  strokes  could  in  such  a  measure  di- 
minish. (9.)  Can  you  conceive  that  should  be  eternal, 
which  is  wholly  made  up  of  corruptible  and  perishing 
things  ?  since  the  things  of  the  worid  have  all  their  set 
times  and  seasons,  wherein  they  appear,  and  are  quickly 
gone.  In  a  word,  must  not  men  deny  a  dissolution  of  this 
world,  or  an  after  judgment  and  life  to  come,  yea,  the  whole 
truth  of  religion,  if  this  great  truth  be  not  received  and  be- 
lieved ? 

But  having  premised  some  few  evidences,  that  may  wit- 
ness the  original  of  the  world,  yea,  that  this  marvellous 
frame,  with  the  whole  continued  course  of  nature,  is  the 
product  of  a  divine power  and  wisdom  :  I  shall  here  in,  the 
second  place,  point  at  some  few  things,  which  may  shew 
how  great  a  pledge  this  is,  and  what  a  quieting  ground  it 
should  be  to  the  faith  of  the  godly,  that  the  scripture  is  cer- 
tainly true,  and  must  have  an  accomplishment  :  since  from 
the  very  being  and  beginning  of  the  world,  we  may  clearly 
reason  to  those  things  which  by  undeniable  consequence, 
follow. 

(1.)  That  the  world  now  is,  is  a  strre  and  confirming 
witness  to  its  last  close,  and  of  the  accomplishment  of  that 
promise  of  its  dissolution  in  the  end  of  time.  We  know, 
it  is  not  long  since  there  was  no  earth,  no  sun,  moon  or 
stars.  Now,  upon  no  less  security  than  that  word,  by 
which  it  was  formed,  we  must  believe  it  shall  ere  long 
cease  to  be  what  now  it  is  :  and  thus  when  we  look  upon 
the  worid,  and  see  such  a  thing  before  us,  oucht  we  not  to 
read  that  promise  of  its  after  dissolution,  clearly  written 
thereon  before  our  eyes?  (2.)  It  is  a  very  clear  conse^ 


Tie  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  %JJ 

quen.ee ,  that  this  God,  can  bring  his  word  unto  perform- 
smce,  and  his  power  therein  cannot  fail  or  fall  short ;  yea, 
that  bis  counsel  and  purpose  hath  no  dependence  on  means 
or  instruments,  who  did  once  bring  this  world  out  of  noth- 
ing, and  said,  Let  there  be  heaven  and  an  earth,  when  there 
was  none.  O  when  we  open  the  bible,  and  read  the  great 
promises  thereof,  should  we  not  have  that  impression  on 
our  souls,  These  are  the  true  and  faithful  sayings  of  God, 
and  his  word,  with  whom  the  doing  thereof  is  as  easy  as  to 
say  it ;  who  without  the  concurrence  of  instruments,  or 
any  co-workers,  could  bring  this  great  creation  forth  !  We 
truly  so  far  mistake  the  meaning  of  the  heavens,  and  these 
great  celestial  bodies,  with  the  marvellous  order  that  is 
there,  when  we  cannot  read  the  truth  and  faithfulness  of 
God  in  all  his  promises  writ  thereupon  :  for  they  are  held 
forth  to  men  as  a  confirming  pledge  of  the  same ;  and  this 
were  indeed  an  excellent  study  and  improvement  of  astrol- 
ogy. (3.)  Since  it  is  sure  and  undeniable,  that  this  earth 
doth  hang  in  the  empty  place,  though  men  see  not  whereon 
it  leans  and  rests,  O  what  a  strange  thing  is  it  !  Could  the 
air  bear  up  so  vast  and  ponderous  a  body  !  But  herein  is  a 
marvellous  divine  power  convincingly  witnessed,  which 
hath  so  established  it,  that  it  cannot  be  moved.  Now,  is  not 
this  bis  very  word,  that  bears  up  such  a  weight  ?  and 
thence,  with  as.  clear  ground,  we  may  reason  for  adventur- 
ing of  the  church  with  its  weight,  and  every  christian's  bur- 
den, whatever  it  may  be,  on  the  promise  of  this  God,  on 
whose  word  the  great  bulk  of  the  earth  doth  this  day  lean. 
I  must  say,  no  mathematical  demonstration  does  follow  by 
a  clearer  evidence,  than  this  consequence  from  such  pre- 
mises is  undeniable.  (4.)  We  see  the  Lord  keeps  covenant 
with  the  day  and  the  night,  yea,  that  summer  and  winter 
do  not  fail  before  him,  according  to  his  promise  :  and  are 
not  these  a  visible  witness  for  God,  that  his  truth  and  cove- 
nant with  his  church  shall  not  fail  ?  For  it  is  sure,  the  con- 
tinued course  of  nature  hath  such  an  audible  voice,  if  we 
could  but  listen  thereto.  (5.)  Does  not  the  Lord  clearly 
witness  by  such  a  strange  contrariety  that  is  amongst  the 
elements,  and  those  different  qualities,  whereof  he  serves 
himself,  in  this  great  frame  and  composure  of  the  world, 
that  this  promise  shall  not  fail,  but  it  is  easy  for  him  to  ve- 
rify the  same,  in  making  all  things  work  together,  were 
they  never  so  cross  and  disagreeing  among  themselves,  for 
an  accomplishment  of  his  design.  (6.)  When  we  see  the 
rage  and  violence  of  the  great  ocean,  bounded  by  a  bank  of 
sand;  for  which  there  could  be  no  true  reason  given,  how 
such  an  impetuous  and  furious  motion  could  be  restrain- 


278  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

ed,  and  the  sand  be  a  bridle  to  the  sea,  if  it  were  not  to 
make  out  the  faithfulness  of  God,  who  by  a  perpetual  de- 
cree hath  thus  bounded  it  ;  O  is  there  not  thence  a  visible 
confirmation  of  his  truth !  that  he  can  also  restrain  the  rage 
of  man,  and  turn  it  unto  his  praise,  and  for  attaining  this 
end,  serve  himself  of  most  improbable  means.  It  was  a 
notable  saying  of  a  grave  minister  of  Christ,  when  lie  was 
upon  the  sea  in  a  storm,  O  shall  I  fear  (says  he)  the  face 
of  a  tyrant,  that  serve  him  who  can  restrain  and  tame  the 
rage  of  this  swelling  sea  !  (7.)  If  we  consider  the  earth  and 
its  original,  and  look  aright  on  that  so  oft  repeated  discove- 
ry we  have  of  the  seed  time  and  harvest,  and  of  the  earth 
bringing  forth  such  innumerable  kinds  of  vegetables  in  the 
spring,  after  a  dead  winter,  as  out  of  their  graves,  may  we 
not  thence  have  a  very  clear  and  confirming  seal  of  that 
great  truth  of  the  resurrection,  and  of  the  raising  of  the  dust 
of  men's  bodies,  that  is  buried  under  the  earth  ?  I  shall 
but  say,  does  not  God  thus  give  a  continued  wonder,  and 
set  the  same  before  our  eyes  in  the  continued  course  of  na- 
ture, to  assure  us  of  his  truth  and  promise,  that  it  shall  not 
fail,  though  there  were  no  appearance  how  in  an  ordinary 
way  it  could  be  accomplished  ? 

II.  Ground,  whence  we  may  be  thus  confirmed  in  our 
faith  is  this  ;  that  not  only  the  most  part  of  the  scripture  is 
already  proved  and  verified  in  the  event,  but  also  those 
truths,  which  of  the  whole  scripture  are  most  strange  and 
marvellous,  yea,  would  have  much  staggered  our  faith,  if 
they  were  yet  still  in  a  promise,  are  this  day  certainly  ac- 
complished.    I  shall  but  only  instance  in  the  coming  of  the 
Messias,  which  the  prophets  of  old  foretold  ;    that  God 
should  be  manifest  in  the  flesh,  and  a  virgin  bring  forth  a 
son,  whose  name  should  be  Emmanuel,  that  was  to  die  and 
be  cut  of  out  of  the  land  of  the  living,  not  for  himself,  but 
for  the  transgression  of  his  people  :  is  not  this  now  surely 
accomplished  ?  Which,  we  may  say,  is  the  greatest  won- 
der, the  most  astonishing  thing  that  ever  was  or  shall  be  ; 
and  should  fidly^  silence  our  thoughts  about  any  other  scrip- 
ture truth,  that  is  yet  to  be  made  out.     For  we  know,  that 
the  great  business  of  redemption  is  put  to  a  close  ;  the  ran- 
som and  price  thereof  fully  told  down  ;  now  is  the  doc- 
trine of  the  gospel  sealed  and  attested  by  blood,  even  the 
blood  of  the  testator  :  it  is  now  sure,  the  promise  d  Messi- 
as hath  come,  and  this  is  he,  who  in  the  days  of  Pilate  suf- 
fered at  Jerusalem,  in  whom  all  things  which  were  written 
by  the  prophets,  were  truly  accomplished.    And  is  not 
this  a  great  pledge,  to  assure  us  of  the  real  making  out  of 
every  other  promise  ?  It  is  sure,  he  did  die,  his  blessed 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  279 

side  was  pierced  with  a  spear,  and  upon  the  cross  he  cried 
with  a  loud  voice,  and  gave  up  the  ghost.  O  here  lieth 
the  greatest  cause  of  wonder  ;  not  what  doth  yet  remain 
of  the  scripture,  but  that  which  is  already  fulfilled  ;  not 
that  Christ  should  come  again  to  judge  the  world,  but  that 
once  he  did  come  to  the  world,  and  became  man !  For 
God  to  be  found  in  the  form  of  a  servant,  and  die,  this  is 
beyond  expression  wonderful  :  for  the  other  must  necessa- 
rily as  a  consequent  follow,  that  he  who  hath  redeemed  the 
church,  and  did  pay  her  ransom,  should  see  the  travail  of 
his  soul,  and  be  satisfied ;  that,  having  madesuch  a  pur- 
chase, he  should  also  have  possession,  and  finish  the  build- 
ing, the  foundation  whereof  was  his  own  blood.  I  con- 
fess, what  we  do  yet  expect  according  to  the  promise,  are 
great  and  astonishing  truths,  the  full  overthrow  of  antichrist 
and  his  kingdom,  that  the  dead  bones  of  the  Jewish  church 
should  again  live,  but  specially  Christ's  return  to  judgment, 
who  shall  be  revealed  from  heaven  with  faming  fire,  the 
sound  of  the  trumpet,  and  voice  of  the  archangel ;  yet,  how 
great  soever  they  are,  and  may  seem  hard  for  us  to  believe, 
O  how  small  comparatively  are  they  with  that  which  is  al- 
ready done  and  accomplished,  the  Incarnation  of  the  Son 
of  God,  a  mystery  hid  from  ages,  wherein  the  angels  with 
wonder  do  look !  Which,  we  may  say,  is  unspeakably 
greater  than  to  create  this  world,  and  turn  it  again  to  noth- 
ing. It  may  be  truly  strange,  whilst  we  read  these  proph- 
ecies about  Christ  and  his  kingdom,  in  so  plain  an  history^ 
and  profess  that  we  believe  he  did  die  and  rise  again,  we 
should  have  such  hesitation  about  the  performance  of  any 
other  scripture  promise.  Is  it  not  at  this  day  much  more 
easy,  to  believe  the  scripture  and  fulfilling  thereof,  than  it 
was  of  old  for  the  Jewish  church  before  Christ's  coming  ? 
And  now  may  we  not  with  as  much  assurance  wait  for  the 
second  coming  of  the  Lord,  and  a  full  perfecting  of  his 
word,  even  from  that  which  is  already  verified  thereof,  as 
we  are  sure  of  the  return  of  the  sun  after  it  is  gone  down, 
and  of  the  breaking  of  the  day  when  once  the  night  is  past ! 

III.  Ground,  whence  the  godly  in  these  times  should  be 
confirmed  about  the  full  performance  of  that  which  is  yet 
remaining  of  the  scripture,  that  it  is  sure,  yea,  now  near  at 
hand,  is  this,  That  Jesus  Christ  is  come  to  action  against 
the  enemies  of  his  church  and  hath  taken  the  fields  ;  that 
surely  he  is  now  gone  forth  in  the  greatness  of  his  strength^ 
conquering,  and  to  conquer. 

This  is  a  grave  truth,  which  might  give  us  very  sweet 
refreshing  thoughts  in  so  shaking  a  time,  that  whilst  we 
have  seen  the  Lord's  appearing  by  a  great  and  outstretched 


2S0  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

hand  for  his  people,  have  seen  those  terrible  stirs  and  con- 
cussions of  the  nations,  have  seen  him  strike  through  kings 
in  the  day  of  his  wrath,  and  fill  the  places  with  the  dead 
bodies  of  his  adversaries,  we  may  also  on  clear  scripture 
grounds  conclude,  that  the  Lord  is  now  awaked  as  a 
mighty  man,  and  upon  the  fields ;  yea,  that  the  war  h 
surely  begun  against  antichrist,  and  ail  the  adversaries  of 
his  church,  which  shall  not  cease  until  the  full  victory  be 
obtained.  For  indeed  those  providences  which  in  these 
last  times  should  be  very  affrighting  and  terrible,  when 
we  go  into  the  word,  we  shall  find  they  have  a  comfortable 
aspect  on  the  church,  and  do  presage  her  greater  enlarge- 
ment ;  as  the  tender  buds  and  leaves  of  the  fig  tree  are  put 
forth  to  shew  the  summer's  approach.  Luke  xxi.  28.  It 
is  true,  the  church  is  now  low,  and  the  work  of  God  meets 
with  very  sad  interruptions,  which  are  needful,  both  for  tri- 
al, and  rebuke  ;  but  this  also  is  sure,  which  none  can  de- 
ny, that  the  Lord  hath  eminently  appeared,  and  done  great 
things  for  his  church ;  yea,  we  must  say,  he  hath  by  a 
confluence  of  very  remarkable  providences  thus  conde- 
scended to  strengthen  his  people's  hands,  to  confirm  such 
who  are  ready  to  stagger,  even  as  it  were  by  crutches, 
about  the  greatness  of  these  things  which  are  yet  promised. 

Now  to  clear  this  truth  a  little,  we  would  consider, 
(1.)  How  it  is  very  consonant  to  the  scripture,  and  ex- 
pressly held  forth  in  the  same,  that  in  the  last  times,  and 
turn  of  the  church's  case  from  antichrist,  the  Lord  will 
thus  appear,  in  his  great  strength,  and  set  up  his  standard 
against  his  adversaries ;  yea,  will  then  in  a  special  way  call 
forth  his  people,  to  glorify  him  by  an  active  testimbny. 
(2.)  That  the  Lord  hath  thus  began  to  appear,  according 
to  his  word,  is  a  truth  that  is  also  undeniable  ;  and  should 
muchr  help  to  confirm  our  faith,  about  the  performance  of 
that  which  further  remains  of  the  scripture. 

(1.)  That  the  Lord  will  thus  appear  in  the  last  times % 
this  is  manifest  from  the  word.  To  clear  which,  observe, 
1.  Though  the  church  militant  must  not  want  an  adversa- 
ry, and  some  persecution  from  the  world,  even  in  her  best, 
estate  :  yet  we  have  a  safe  warrant  to  expect  that  the  Lord 
will  glorify  himself  m  a  peculiar  way  in  his  people  now  in 
these  latter  days,  by  their  doing  and  acting  for  the  truth, 
as  in  former  ages  his  glory  did  most  appear,  during  anti- 
christs reign,  in  his  church's  suffering  ;  lor  then  the  faith 
and  patience  of  his  saints  was  to  be  witnessed  in  its  season.. 
Rev.  xiii.  10.  And  thus  he  would  serve^  himself  of  his 
people,  and  bring  forth  his  glory,  until  that  time  of  retribu- 
tion, when  those  who  bad  killed  with  the  sword,  should  be 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  231 

killed  by  the  sword,  and  those  who  led  unto  captivity,  be 
so  dealt  with  ;  which  cloth  also  clearly  promise  some  spe- 
cial outpouring'  of  the  Spirit,  for  acting  with  these  gifts  of 
courage  an. I  resolution,  suitable  to  the  service  of  the 
church  in  the  latter  clays.  Xwl  truly  I  think  it  is  a  great 
defect,  we  study  not  more  the  accomplishing  of  the  prom- 
ises, and  how  to  improve  the  same,  for  gifts,  as  well  as 
grace,  in  order  to  the  several  times  and  necessities  of  the 
church. 

2.  It  is  very  clear  from  the  scripture,  that  in  the  last  days,, 
when  Christ  is  to  rais:  his  church  from  under  the  power 
and  tyranny  of  antichrist,  he  shall  then  appear  in  a  warlike. 
posture.  Which  John  had  shewed  to  him,  Rev.  xix.  13, 
14,  as  one  at  the  head  of  his  forces,  with  his  vesture  dipped 
in  blood,  to  shew  whan  once  the  war  is  begun  against  his 
adversary,  and  this  Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah  begins  to 
rouze  himself  up,  what  a  terrible  appearance  he  will  have 
in  that  undertaking.  And  it  is  clear,  that  the  Lord  hath  de- 
clared in  this  his  counsel  and  will,  that  his  Son  Christ 
should  in  the  latter  times  take  unto  himself  his  great  power, 
and  reign,  (Rev.  xi.  17.)  yea,  cause  the  world  to  know 
him  to  be  head  of  principalities  and  powers,  as  well  as  of 
the  church.  For  his  glory  in  this  truth  as  a  king,  which 
former  ages  seemed  in  so  great  a  measure  to  darken,  must 
then  clearly  shine  forth.  I  truly  think,  men's  appearing 
with  such  violence  and  rage  against  so  interesting  a  truth 
now  in  these  days,  doth  promise  some  eminent  appearance 
of  the  Lord  therein,  and  that  he  shall  yet  more  solemnly 
assert  the  same  before  the  world.  I 

3.  Doth  not  the  scripture  point  at  the  last  times,  as 
that  special  time  of  recompense  for  the  controversy  of  S  ion-? 
to  which  the  Lord  hath  reserved  a  solemn  triumph  of  his 
justice,  over  all  his  church's  enemies  ;  when  he  shall  in- 
quire for  the  blood  of  his  saints,  shed  upon  the  earth  since 
the  days  of  Abel,  at  Babylon's  hand,  (Rev.  xviii,  24.)  that 
great  adversary,  who  stands  in  law  guilty,  and  hath  served 
herself  heir  to  all  the  violence  and  cruelty  done  in  former 
ages*  For  in  her  hand  must  that  cup  be  found  full,  which 
the  enemies  of  the  church  from  the  beginning  have  been 
filling  up,  and  as  so  many  rivers  and  fountains  hath  run  in- 
to this  great  sea. 

4.  It  is  also  clear,  that  in  the  last  times,  when  the  Lord 
shall  bind  up  the  breach  of  his  people,  and  heal  the  stroke  of 
their  w  mnd,  who  for  so  long  a  time  had  been  trampled 
under  by  antichrist,  he  shall  by  some  signal  providences 
rollavjay  this  reproach  and  scandal  bf'mcnmes?,  contempt, 
Mid  persecution:  shall  put  some  glory  on  his  church,  pro- 

M.    M 


282  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

portionablt  to  its  former  abasement ;  yea,  thus  comfort  her, 
according  to  the  days  yt herein  he  had  afflicted  her,  and 
cause  his  people's  uprising,  in  measure  and  kind,  to  an- 
swer their  low  and  suffering  state  from  antichrist,  even  in 
the  last  time,  v\hen  the  Lord  shall  make  them  appear  with 
the  face  of  a  Lion,  when  hhc  feeble  spall  be  as  David,  and 
as  the  angel  oj\  the  Lord,  Zech.  xii.  8.  Which  promise 
doth  clearly  point  at  the  church's  raising,  and  delivery 
from  antichrist ;  upon  the  back  whereof  we  find  the 
prophet  doth  foretell  the  last  conversion,  and  incoming  of 
Israel. 

5.  I  shall  only  add  what  the  scripture  doth  most  express- 
ly shew,  that  the  Lord  shall  so  gloriously  appear  in  bring* 
ing  his  church  out  of  Babylon,  and  executing  his  judgment 
on  that  adversary,  as  in  the  day  when  he  brought  his  peo- 
ple out  of  Egypt,  and  therefore  shall  they  sing  the  song  of 
Moses  and  the  Lamb,Eev.  %v.  3,  his  great  power  and  out- 
stretched  hand  being  no  less  discernible  therein,  than  if 
they  had  been  standing  with  Israel  at  the  Red  Sea,  when 
they  saw  their  enemies  lying  dead  upon  the  shore.  Yea, 
have  we  not  ground  to  believe,  that  the  Lord  shall  make 
himself  very  evidently  known  in  raising  instruments,  and 
acting  them  forth  ?  Which  hath  been  already  seen  ;  and 
I  am  sure,  the  world  must  confess  what  great  things  have 
been  clone  by  those  of  whom  little  was  expected. 

(2.)  That  the  Lord  hath  thus  begun  to  appear,  and 
make  himself  known  to  the  world  in  these  last.  ages,ac~ 
cording  to  his  word,  is  a  thing  very  easy  to  demonstrate. 
For, 

1.  Is  it  not  clear,  how  in  these  last  times  he  hath  met  his 
enemies  upon  their  high  places,  and  in  their  greatest 
strength  ?  that  by  a  s.rong  handht  did  make  room  for  his 
truth,  when  both  law  and  force  did  withstand  the  same, 
and  put  the  marks  of  his  wrath  on  such  who  would  oppose 
the  spreading  of  his  kingdom,  so  that  they  have  been  as 
visible,  as  sometimes  their  rage  and  violence  against  the 
church  was.  Yea,  si*  cc  the  Lord  begun  to  lift  up  a  stand- 
ard for  the  truth,  and  call  forth  his  people  to  act,  hath  it 
not  been  seen  they  have  left  their  ground  more  by  under- 
hand treaties,  and  turning  aside  to  carnal  politic  shifts,  than 
by  open  force  and  violence  ?  Which  the  French  massacre, 
with  othc  r  sad  instances  can  witness ;  for  indeed  the  church 
ft  '    s'iii  lost  least  by  greatest  opposition. 

2.  Have  we  not  seen  by  what  dreadful  shakings  and  al- 
t(  iviuiib  of  the  earth,  this  late  glorious  reformation  of  die 
cburchhom  antichrisnanism  hath  been  ushered  in  ?  Which 
have  been  more  strange,  and  frequent,  than  in  many  ages 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  283 

before.  Hath  not  the  Lord  caused  the  nations  to  shake \ 
and  the  earth  to  reel  like  a  drunken  man  ;  to  shew  men  that 
though  he  suffered  long  in  former  times  of  the  worlds  ig- 
norance, he  will  not  so  now  bear  with  opposing  his  truth  I 

3.  Have  we  not  also  seen  the  Lord's  raising  up  men  Jit 
for  action ,  in  these  last  times  ;  men  of  a  great  heroic  spirit \ 
with  some  more  than  ordinary  elevation  of  the  same  to  ap- 
pear for  his  interest  ?  Such,  we  may  say,  that  many  former 
ages  could  not  instance  ;  in  which  the  Lord's  helping  his 
people  to  do  great  things,  his  suiting  them  with  endow- 
ments for  the  service  and  work  of  the  time,  hath  been  most 
discernible !  Was  not  that  excellent  man  the  admiral  of 
France,  with  many  others  in  that  place,  eminently  raised 
up,  for  the  necessity  of  that  time  ?  And  do  we  not  find 
those  princes  of  Orange,  William,  and  Maurice,  and  Mau- 
ritius otSrxony,  whom  the  Lord  raised  against  Charles 
V.  and  caused  him  to  flee  over  the  Alps  ?  Yea,  what  mar- 
vellous resolution  and  courage  did  attend  the  actings  of  the 
confederates  of  the  Low  Countries  ?  And  in  latter  times 
do  we  not  find  Gustus  king  of  Sweden,  Bernard  duke  of 
Weymar,  landgrave  of  Hesse,  with  many  others,  emi- 
nently raised  to  avenge  the  Lord's  quarrel  against  that 
bloody  house  of  Austria  ?  Have  we  not  also  seen  very 
great  instruments  raised  up  in  Britain,  and  Ireland  (who 
were  followed  with  wonderful  success)  to  act  for  the  truth 
against  antichristian  prelacy  ?  And  truly  we  must  say,  the 
withdrawing  in  such  a  measure  of  that  spirit  of  courage 
and  resolution,  which  once  was  so  visibly  let  forth  m  the 
first  dawning  of  the  reformation,  may  sadly  point  at  a  great 
decay  of  zeal,  self  confidence,  and  unfaithfulness  as  to  the 
improving  of  opportunities.  For  the  Lord  was  with  his 
people  whilst  they  were  with  himK  and  did  singly  follow 
him  in  his  way  :  but  alas,  with  their  departing  it  may  be 
said  their  strength  hath  departed  from  them.  However,  the 
quarrel  is  clear  for  an  oppressed  people's  acting,  upon  so 
just,  so  necessary  an  account,  as  the  interest  of  religion, 
against  the  cruelty  and  violent  encroachments  of  antichrist, 
wherein,  as  the  Lord  hath  eminently  owned  his  people,  so 
(I  dare  not  question)  he  will  yet  appear,  and  silence  the 
adversaries  of  this  truth,  by  such  an  argument,  against 
which  they  shall  not  debate. 

4.  That  universal  deluge  of  blood,  which  for  the  100 
years  past  hath  overflowed  much  of  Europe,  can  be  *a  wit- 
ness to  this,  that  the  Lord  hath  taken  peace  from  men,' who 
would  not  embrace  the  peace  of  the  gospel  offered  in  these 
last  times,  and  given  his  enemies  who  had  shed  the  blood  of 
the  saints,  blood  to  drink,  in  great  measure.    I  am  sure, 


284  The  Fulfilling  6f  the  Scripture. 

poor  Germany  can  prove  this,  which  for  twenty  years  to. 
get)  »er  \\  as  a  field  of  dead  men  ;  and  France  from  the  days 
of  Henry  II.  to  the  establishment  of  Henry  IV.  How  long 
was  the  Low  Ceuntries  made  a. stage  of  wur,  where  many  a 
crnel  Spaniard  did  fall  ur  de  r  the  sword  of  an  avenging 
God  ;  beside  the  late  bloody  wars  in  Britain,  and  Ire- 
land. And  what  doth  this  declare,  but  that  Jesus  Christ 
hath  taken. the  fields,  and  it  will  not  be  now  with  the  kings 
of  the  earth,  to  oppress  his  church,  and  withstand  the  truth 
as  in  former  time  s  ? 

I  shall  but  add,. how  wonderfully  hath  the  Lord  appear- 
ed in  delivering  his  church  at  the  greatest  extremity,  hath 
turned  Jus  enemies'  counsels  and  designs  upon  themselves, 
brought -about  the  great  works  of  these  last  times  by 
means  so  unexpected  and  improbable,  that  we  may  say, 
what  of  his  judgment  is  already  executed  against  antichrist, 
hath  been  no  less  marvellous  than  that  Jericho's  walls 
should  fiJl  at  the  sound  of  a  trumpet  of  ram  horns  ;  or  a 
cake  of  barley  bread  tumbling  into  the  host  of  Midian 
should  smite  and  overthrow  the  same  !  Surely,  when  we 
consider  what  the  Lord  hath  done,  and  how  exactly  that 
doth  answer  the  scrip ture,  we  may  have  much  to  confirm 
us  about  the  further  accomplishment  of  his  word;  and  be 
assured,  that  the  term  of  his  long  suffering  towards  Baby- 
lon is  at  an  end,  war  is  denounced,  and  the  execution  al- 
ready begun,  which  must  not  have  a  close  until  judgment 
be  accomplished  into  victory. 

IV.  Ground,  which  may  confirm  the  faith  of  the  saints, 
and  be  as  a  pledge  in  their  hand  of  the  full  accomplishing 
of  the  scripture,  yea,  that  this  is  near,  is  this,  That  the  day 
is  new  xurned,  and  that  prophesied  victory,  which  the  church 
should  have  over  antichrist  before  the  end,  is  not  only  begun, 
but  in  a  %reat  measure  advanced. 

This  is  indeed  a  great  confirmation,  when  we  see  so 
marvellous  a  crisis  in  the  church's  case,  her  recovery  from 
so  desperate  and  hopeless  a  disease  already  begun,  that  it 
shall  be  further  perfected.  We  are  apt  to  wonder  at  the 
greatness  of  those  things  yet  promised,  but  why  should  we 
not  also  \\  onder  at  that  v  hich  God  hath  already  done  for  his 
church,  in  our  days  ?  The  scripture  doth  shew,  that  anti- 
christ's ruin  must  begin  by  the  word  :  that  this  stroke 
shall  be  gradual  ;  and  however  that  great  work  of  God 
meet  with  much  opposition,  yet  it  shall  no  more  go  back 
in  the  whole.  And  must  we  not  say,  in  all  this  the  word 
is  fulfilled  ;  it  hath  not  hitherto  failed  the  church,  but  the 
event  in  every  circumstance  is  made  to  answer  to  the 
same? 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture*  28S 

Now  to  clear  this,  we  would  consider  these  two.  First* 
that  the  church's  victory  over  antichrist  is  this  day  so  for 
advanced.  2.  Mow  the  Lord's  very  immediate  hand  hath 
been  most  discernible  therein. 

The  first,  I  need  but  name,  whilst  it  is  so  manifest,  what 
the  Lord  hath  wrought  for  his  church.  For  we  have  seen 
kingdoms  and  nations  subject  themselves  to  the  truth  :  the 
kingdom  of  antichrist  grow  dark,  with  the  breaking  out  of 
the  light,  and  many  of  his  followers  made  to  gnash  their 
teeth,  being  scorched  with  the  heat  and  power  of  the  gospel ; 
in  how  great  a  measure  is  that  interest  now  shaken,  if  we 
consider  what  the  Lord  hath  wrought,  what  a  great  refor- 
mation hath  been  in  Britain  and  Ireland,  through  much  of 
France \  Germany,  Sweden,  the  Low  Countries,  Poland \ 
Denmark,  yea,  even  in  Hungary,  and  Transylvania ! 
Sure  this  was  a  great  work,  which  should  be  marvellous  in 
our  eyes,  how  that  antichristian  empire,  contrived  with 
such  wisdom,  underpropped  with  so  great  strength,  whose 
commands  not  long  since  were  received  as  oracles,  with  an 
awe  and  respect  only  due  to  God,  hath  in  such  a  measure 
begun  to  fall  before  the  power  of  the  word  !  O  the  righteous 
judgment  of  the  Lord,  which  he  hath  shewed  forth  upon 
that  adversary,  and  should  be  a  pledge  to  us  of  the  further 
manifestation  thereof;  an  adversary,  we  may  say,  the 
greatest  that  ever  the  church  had  :  whose  little  finger  hath 
been  heavier  than  the  loins  of  all  who  went  before,  if  we 
consider  his  cruelty  over  men's  bodies,  tyranny  over  their 
consciences,  with  so  long  a  continuance  of  that  trial!  in 
respect  of  whom  it  may  be  said,  Pharaoh  was  an  easy 
taskmaster  ;  Antiochus  and  the  Roman  emperors  mild, 
who  for  near  1200  years  did  carry  on  a  desperate  and 
bloody  war  against  the  church , 

The  second  which  I  would  at  some  more  length  prose. 
cute,  is  this,  How  the  Lord's  hand  and  something  of  an  ex* 
traor dinar y  providence  hath  been  no  less  discernible  in  this 
late  raising  of  the  church,  and  her  begun  victory  over  anti- 
christ, than  in  the  first  planting  of  Christianity  by  the  apos- 
tles. This  is  a  truth,  which  to  many  may  seem  strange : 
but  when  seriously  considered,  if  prejudice  do  not  darken 
men's  judgment,  will  appear  from  sure  and  solid  grounds. 
Now  to  demonstrate  this,  I  would  here  offer  some  very 
convincing  witnesses,  which  may  help  t6  strengthen  the 
faith  of  the  godly,  and  give  atheism  some  dash. 

First  witness  to  this  truth,  is  that  wonderful  success 
which  the  gospel  in  these  last  times  hath  had:  wherein  men 
must  see  the  great  power  of  God,  and  efficacy  of  the  Spii*. 
it,  in  some  measure  as  manifest,  as  in  the  first  rise  of  the 
christian  church,  if  we  consider, 


286  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

1.  From  what  a  small  spai  k,  so  great  afire  did  break 
out,  which  ina  shot  time  put  Europe  in  a  flame,  and  made 
so  great  a  change  therein,  even  Luther's  appearing  against 
Tcxelius  upon  the  account  of  his  indulgences.  O  but 
God's  time  of  working  may  be  oft  contrary  to  our  time 
oftxpecting  ! 

2.  What  a  swift  progress  did  the  gospel  have  ?  may  we 
not  say  with  wonder,  Can  a  nation  be  born  at  once !  yet 
this  we  have  seen,  how  many  nations  and  cities  in  one  and 
the  same  age,  yea,  in  less  than  forty  years,  were  brought 
into  subjection  to  the  truth  ;  and  those  instruments  whom 
scarce  any  durst  own  at  first,  made  to  see  great  princes 
with  armies  on  the  folds 'for  the  interests  of  Christ. 

3.  Have  we  not  se<  n  religion  propagated  by  martyrdom. 
no  less  than  in  the  primitive  times  ;  and  men's  essays  to 
ruin  the  church,  helping  it  further  to  grow  ?  O  what  but 
a  divine  power  could  thus  bring  gold  out  of  iron  and  clay, 
bring  a  flourishing  church  out  of  their  ashes,  and  turn  her 
poison  to  a  preservative  !  But  alas,  it  is  sad,  that  whilst  men 
were  burned  for  the  truth  and  reading  the  scripture,  then 
their  affction  (lid  also  burn  in  reading  the  same,  but  now 
with  our  liberty  there  is  so  great  a  decay. 

4.  Must  not  the  wise  and  politicians  of  the  world  con- 
fess, this  late  increase  of  the  church  is  a  thing  above  their 
reach,  most  cross  to  all  their  rules  which  they  cannot  see 
how  in  an  ordinary  way  it  could  be  brought  about. 

5.  Were  not  instruments  most  unlikely  for  so  great  a 
work,  if  we  would  judge  as  men  ?  That  such  a  poor  hand- 
ful,  as  Luther,  Zuinglius,  Melanchton,  Bucer,  &c.  should 
go  forth  to  confront  that  power,  which  then  made  the  earth 
to  tremble,  might  it  not  seem  as  improbable,  as  the  sending 
forth  of  some  fishermen  to  subdue  the  nations  ! 

6.  It  is  known,  they  were  none  of  the  rabbies  of  the 
time,  whose  repute  and  fame  might  have  purchased  easy 
access,  to  their  message  :  nay,  they  were  loaded^  with  all 
the  reproach,  which  their  adversaries  could  devise,  with 
novelty  of  doctrine,  deceit  and  falsehood  in  their  dealing, 
represented  to  the  world  as  monsters.  Luther  was  forced 
to  answer  himself  a  printed  relation  of  his  death,  how  he 
was  carried  away  soul  and  body  by  the  devil. 

7.  Was  not  the  message  they  carried,  most  opposite  to 
men's  carnal  inclinations,  to  these  principles,  they  had 
sucked  in  from  their  infancy,  to  the  religion  of  their  fathers ; 
yea,  in  a  word,  had  no  outward  encouragements  ?  The 
whole  world  seemed  to  combine  against  them  ;  Luther,  at 
his  first  appearance  excommunicated  by  the  pope,  pre- 
scribed by  the  emperor :  and  good  Melanchton  was  oft 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture,  287 

r.iade  to  faint,  when  he  thought  on  so  great  a  storm  of  op- 
position :  so  that  without  the  convoy  of  an  extraordinary 
power,  nothing  could  have  looked  more  improbable. 

Second  witness,  that  may  let  the  world  see  a  wonderful 
providence  in  this  late  raising  of  the  church,  is  this,  Those 
sharp  assaults  which  the  church  met  with,  from  a  party,  no 
less  cruel  and  powerful,  than  any  adversary  which  the 
church  had  in  the  primitive  times.  For  1  am  sure,  the  world 
must  confess,  that  no  ordinary  means  had  wanted  for  an 
essay,  to  crush  the  gospel  in  its  first  budding  forth  ;  that 
both  counsel  and  force,  the  authority  of  law,  backed  with 
greatest  rage  and  violence  in  its  execution,  yea,  the  power 
of  the  princes  of  the  earth,  were  put  forth  to  the  utmost, 
to  withstand  this  great  work  of  God  in  these  last  ages.  To 
clear  this,  I  shall  only  point  at  some  remarkable  assaults 
which  did  attend  the  dawning  of  the  gospel,  that  may  shew 
something  above  nature  going  along  with  it. 

1.  We  find  a  Spa?2ish  emperor,  devoted  to  the  popish 
interest,  and  more  powerful  than  any  who  went  before, 
brought  in  on  Germany  with  the  very  first  breaking  out  of 
the  light,  which  might  seem  a  dreadful  hindrance  to  the 
gospel's  spreading. 

2.  The  rise  of  the  Boores,  and  anabaptist  party,  whose 
being  so  gross,  and  destructive  to  civil  order,  to  the  inter- 
ests and  proprieties  of  men,  did  look  like  a  sad  incident, 
and  a  probable  means  to  beget  much  prejudice  against  the 
truth. 

3.  That  sad  overthrow  of  the  duke  of  Saxony ,  and  land- 
grave of  Hesse,  who  were  such  great  patriots  to  the  church, 
did  then  threaten  the  very  ruin  of  the  protestant  interest 
in  Germany. 

4.  The  council  of  Trent,  where  the  popish  party  had  all 
their  politics  on  foot  in  a  strong  combination,  how  to  ruin 
the  church. 

5.  The  interim  of  Germany ,  a  most  subtile  contrivance 
to  divide,  and  thus  break  the  strength  of  the  protestants, 
was  also  a  sore  assault,  a  snare  to  some,  and  cause  of  per- 
secution to  others. 

6.  That  Spanish  inquisition,  established  through  Spain, 
Italy,  and  the  Low  Countries,  a  horrid  cruel  engine  which 
did  reach  to  prevent  the  smallest  glancings  of  the  truth. 

7.  The  French  massacre,  where  not  only  the  admiral, 
but  most  of  the  considerable  protestants  were  through  all 
France  in  a  few  days  cut  off.  O  would  not  this  seem  an 
irrecoverable  stroke  !  together  with  that  catholic  league, 
which  did  quickly  follow  upon  the  back  thereof,  a  very 
strong  and  formidable  combination  to  root  out  the  protest- 
ant interest. 


2$8  The  fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

S.  The  taking  away  of  Edward  VI.  of  England,  and 
establishing  of  a  cruel  persecutor,  queen  Mary,  didjndeed 
Jook  like  a  stroke  that  should  root  out  the  church  in  that 
part,  and  destroy  that  famous  plantation  of  the  gospel,  in 
its  tender  growth. 

9.  I  must  add,  that  which  was  as  sore  an  assault  to  the 
church  as  any,  so  grievous  a  difference  which  with  the 
first  breaking  out  of  the ;  work  of  reformation  did  begin  be- 
twixt Luther  and  Zuinglius,  about  Christ's  presence  in 
the  sacrament ;  yea,  come  to  such  an  height  and  with  so 
great  heat  and  animosity  was  followed,  as  in  appearance 
would  have  wholly  frustrated  the  work  they  were  about. 

Third  witness  to  this  truth  is,  That  wonderful  patience 
and  resolution  of  the  saints,  yea,  with  muth  cheerfulness  in 
their  greatest  sufferings,  which  in  these  late  times  did  ap* 
pear.  Wherein  the  world  must  confess,  that  same  imme- 
diate support  from  heaven,  yea,  the  Lord's  owning  his 
people  in  a  very  extraordinary  way,  was  no  less  manifest, 
than  in  those  primitive  sufferings  of  the  church  from  hea- 
thens. Sure,  no  past  times,  even  in  those  bloody  days  of 
Nero,  Bomitian,  &x.  can  shew  more  horrid,  more  strange 
engines  of  torment  and  cruelty,  than  what  in  these  last  ages 
the  church  did  endure  from  the  popish  party  :  whose  sav- 
age and  barbarous  usage  of  the  poor  flock  of  Christ,  where- 
ever  they  had  access,  may  witness  a  crueky  more  than  hu- 
man. And  as  to  the  number,  are  they  not  almost  without 
reckoning,  who  in  France,  Germany,  Britain,  and  the 
Low  Countries,  beside  other  parts,  were  slain  within  this 
150  years,  for  the  word  of  God,  and  the  testimony  of  his 
truth?  Now,  as  this  is  most  manifest,  it  is  also  known 
what  a  divine  and  an  invincible  spirit,  with  an  astonishing 
courage,  and  resolution,  did  appear  in  the  carriage  of  the 
people  of  God,  under  this  sore  persecution  ;  how  they 
triumphed  over  their  oppressors,  and  did  cheerfully  meet 
death  in  its  most  terrible  shape  ;  a  thing  which  the  schools 
of  Socrates  and  Plato  with  all  their  rules  could  never  reach  ; 
yea,  should  be  reckoned  amongst  the  miracles  of  these  lat- 
ter days.     About  which  we  would  consider  these  things, 

1.  That  something  more  than  nature,  a  spirit  and  reso- 
lution above  the  ordinary  rate  otmen,  yea,  something  much 
above  themselves,  their  own  natural  temper  and  disposi- 
tion, did  in  their  most  extreme  sufferings  oft  appear  ;  and 
this  without  the  least  shadow  of  affectation  and  deceit.  I 
am  sure,  the  world  in  these  last  ages,  yea,  the  conscience 
of  their  persecutors,  and  of  the  greatest  adieists,  must  wit- 
ness this. 

2.  That  many  of  the  most  soft  and  tender  disposition, 
many  women,    whose  complexion  would  declare   more 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  297 

weakness  than  others,  yet  in  this  late  antichristian  perse- 
cution  did  endure  greatest  torments,  and  by  suffering  tri- 
umphed over  the  fury  and  rage  of  their  adversaries  ; 
whereof  we  have  many  instances  upon  record. 

3.  The  world  hath  been  also  witness,  how  serious  and 
deliberate  the  saints  were  in  this,  that  they  made  suffering 
their  choice  ;  which  they  could  easily  have  shunned,  at  the 
rate  of  yielding  something  in  the  truth  :  but  ere  they  would 
do  this,  or  give  the  adversary  such  a  bribe,  they  chose  to 
embrace  death,  and  go  to  a  stake  for<Christ,  even  when  they 
wanted  not  most  persuading  offers  to  turn  them  aside.  For 
instance,  I  would  here  mention  that  excellent  man  in  queen 
Mar  if  s  time,  Julius  Palmer,  who  not  only  had  life,  but 
preferment  offered,  if  he  would  recant ;  to  which  his  aru 
swer  was,  that  he  had  quitted  his  thing  in  two  places  for 
Christ,  and  now  was  ready  to  yield  his  life  also  on  that  ac- 
count. Likewise  one  JVilliam  Hunter,  whom  bishop 
Bonner  x\\d  urge  with  many  offers  to  recant,  told  him,  it 
must  be  by  scripture,  and  not  persuasions  of  that  kind  ; 
for  he  reckoned  all  earthly  things  but  dross  and  dung  in 
respect  of  Christ  ;  and  at  the  stake,  when  a  pardon  by  the 
sheriff  was  offered  upon  such  an  account,  did  peremptorily 
reject  the  same.  Antonius  Rice  to,  a  Venetian,  who  con- 
demned for  the  truth,  had  a  large  offer  to  have  his  patrimo- 
ny restored,  which  was  much  mortgaged  with  debt,  and 
made  free,  besides  his  life,  if  he  would  but  a  little  yield, 
and  likewise  had  his  son  weeping  on  him*  for  that  cause, 
gave  this  answer,  he  was  resolved  to  lose  both  children 
and  estate  for  Christ.  I  shall  add  what  we  have  related  of 
one  Heryin,  who  suffered  in  the  Low  Countries,  to  whom 
me  magistrates  made  great  entreaties  with  large  promises 
to  recant,  which  he  wholly  slighted.  Many  more  instances 
of  this  kind  here  might  be  set  down. 

4.  It  is  known,  that  such  who  were  of  great  repute  in 
the  world,  and  had  a  large  share  of  outward  things  to 
tempt  them,  did  in  these  last  times  most  cheerfully  part 
with  the  same,  and  chose  rather  suffering  for  the  truth. 
We  may  instance  those  two  great  witnesses,  John  Freder- 
ick of  Saxony  and  the  landgrave  of  Hesse,  who  under 
that  long  imprisonment  by  Charles  V.  bare  out  many- 
sharp  assaults,  both  by  threatenings  and  offers,  without 
yielding  in  the  least  to  the  prejudice  of  the  truth  ;  yea,  on 
this  account  did  the  duke  of  Saxony  forego  his  estate  and 
dignity.  Annas  du  Burg,  counsellor  of  the  parliament  at 
Paris,  of  great  parts  and  repute,  who  before  Henry  II. 
had  an  excellent  speech  in  parliament,  for  the  protestant 
party,  for  which  by  him  being  imprisoned,  did  forego  all 

N  N 


290  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

his  honours  and  interests  in  the  world,  (which  otherwise 
he  might  have  kept)  and  embraced  death  for  Christ.  The 
prince  of  Conde  at  the  massacre  of  Paris,  when  the  king 
expressly  shewed  him  he  should  within  three  days  die,  it 
he  did  not  renounce  his  religion,  told  him,  his  estate  and 
life  were  in  his  hand,  but  ere  he  renounced  the  truth,  he 
would  quit  both.  Charles  de  Zeroton,  a  Moravian  baron, 
of  great  interest  and  authority  in  that  country,  in  the  late 
Bohemian  persecution  did  quit  all  his  estate  and  possession 
for  the  gospel,  notwithstanding  of  many  large  offers  and 
persuasions.  We  find  also  in  England  the  dutchess  of 
Suffolk,  a  lady  who  lived  in  the  fulness  of  the  world  and 
pleasures  thereof,  yet  in  queen  Mary's  time,  did  quit  both 
estate  and  country  for  the  truth,  and  on  that  account  did 
choose  a  very  hard  lot  in  other  parts. 

5.  Is  it  not  also  known,  how  those  who  had  been  ready 
t&fa'mt,  and  to  be  overcharged  with  discouragrment,  yet 
at  death,  in  the  extremity  of  their  suffering,  diel  shew  a 
marvellous  resolution  and  cheerfulness  ?  A  thing  which  no 
atheist  can  possibly  answer,  and  sheweth  God's  very  im- 
mediate support.  Mr.  Glover,  how  sore  \\  as  he  cast  down, 
and  could  feel  no  joy  or  comfort  after  much  wrestling  ; 
but  no  sooner  did  come  in  sight  of  the  stake,  but  his  soul 
was  filled  with  the  joy  of  the  Lord,  and  with  his  strength, 
which  forced  him  to  clap  his  hands,  and  cry  forth  to  a 
friend  who  knew  his  former  damp,  and  discouragement, 
Oh  Austin,  he  is  come,  he  is  come  !  and  thus  cheerfully 
went  to  death!  Thomas  Hudson,  a  choice  christian  who 
suffered  in  queen  Mary's  time,  when  at  the  stake,  did  slip 
suddenly  from  under  the  chain*  to  the  astonishment  of  the 
people  ;  yet  not  from  fear  of  death,  but  from  the  want  of 
feeling  of  Christ,  which  made  him  full  of  heaviness  :  but 
after  his  turning  aside,  that  he  had  got  his  soul  poured  out 
to  God,  he  returned  as  one  raised  from  death  to  lift*,  crying 
out,  Now  I  am  strong,  and  do  not  care  what  man  can  do/ 
and  thus  with  much  joy  did  yield  up  his  spirit.  Likewise 
Annas  du  Burg,  whom  we  before  mentioned,  being 
through  fear  and  discouragement  drawn  to  recant,  had  no 
vest  in  his  spirit  until  he  retracted  the  same,  and  after  did 
cheerfully  undergo  death.  With  what  marvellous  resolu- 
tion did  that  excellent  man,  Doctor  Cranmer  put  his  right 
hand  to  the  lire  when  he  ca  he  to  the  stake,  and  suffered  it 
to  burn  without  shrinking,  which  (as  he  said)  he  would 
punish  for  subscribing  a  recantation,  which  was  so  much 
thereafter  his  grief ! 

Last  I  must  add.  that   marvellous  joy  and  resolution, 
which  the  sai;Us  in   these  late  times  did  in  their  greatest 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scrip  turc.  2  91 

sufferings  shew,  is  very  evident,  and  known  to  the  world  ; 
for  their  suffering  was  not  in  a  corner,  and  we  may  say, 
hath  not  come  short  of  the  primitive  martyrs,  but  did  wit- 
ness the  same  spirit  and  power  accompanying  them.  I 
cannot  pass  this  in  a  general,  without  giving  some  touch, 
amidst  such  a  multitude  of  convincing  instances.  ^  Let 
us  hear  blessed  Bradford  at  the  stake  thus  spe-ak  to  his  fel- 
low sufferer,  Be  of  good  comfort,  for  we  shall  have  this 
night  a  merry  supper  with  the  Lord.  Latimer  to  Ridley, 
We  shall  this  day  light  such  a  candle  in  England,  as  I  trust 
shall  never  be  put  out.  Mr.  Sanders,  1  was  in  prison  until 
I  got  into  prison  ;  and  at  the  stake  embracing,  cries,  Wel- 
come the  cross  of  Christ,  welcome  everlasting  life.  Dr. 
Farrer,  to  a  gentleman  who  bemoaned  his  death,  and  the 
painfulness  of  it,  If  you  see  me  once  stir  in  the  fire,  believe 
not  my  doctrine  :  as  did  after  appear,  for  he  stood  without 
moving  in  the  midst  of  the  flame.  John  Ardley,  If  every 
hair  of  my  head  were  a  man,  it  should  suffer  death,  in  the 
faith  I  now  stand  in.  Elizabeth  Folks,  embracing  the 
stake,  cried,  Farcwel  world,  far ewel  faith  and  hope,  and 
welcome  love.  Robert  Aguric's  son,  when  at  Lisle,  in  the 
Low  Countries  he  suffered  with  his  father  for  the  truth,  in 
the  year  1556,  did  cry  forth  at  the  stake,  Behold  millions  of 
angels  about  us,  and  the  heaven  opened  to  receive  us  !  after 
he  had  sometime  fixed  his  eyes  on  heaven  :  and  when  the 
lire  was  kindled,  says  to  his  father,  Yet  a  very  little,  and 
we  shall  enter  into  the  heavenly  mansion.  Mr.  Thus,  an 
English  minister  in  qtreen  Mary^s  days,  thus  writes  to  his 
friends,  "  I  am  going  to  the  bishop's  coal  house,  but  shall 
not  be  long  there  before  I  be  carried  up  to  my  brethren, 
who  are  gone  to  heaven  before  me  in  a  fiery  chariot ;  fol- 
low you  after  me,  where  you  shall  find  me  singing  merrily 
at  my  journey's  end,  Holy,  Holy,  Holy,  Lord  God  of  Sa- 
baoth.  Alger'ms,  an  Italian  martyr,  thus  writes  from  his 
prison  a  little  befjie  his  death,  Who  would  believe  that  in 
this  dungeon  I  should  find  a  paradise  so  pleasant  !  in  a 
place  of  sorrow  and  death,  tranquillity,  and  hope  of  life  ? 
where  others  weep,  I  rejoice.  0  how  easy  and  sweet  is  his 
yoke  !  And  this  he  subscribes  from  that  delectable  orchard 
of 'the  Leoline  prison*  Guy  de  Bres,  The  ringing  of  my 
chain  hath  been  sweet  music  in  my  ears  ;  all  my  former 
discourses  were  but  as  a  blind  man's  of  colours,  in  respect  of 
my  present  feeling.  0  what  a  precious  comforter  is  a  good 
conscience  !  The  lord  Henry  Otto,  a  Bohemian,  who  suf- 
fered in  the  late  persecution,  said  to  the  minister,  I  was. 
troubled,  bat  now  I  feel  a  wonderful  refreshment.  O  now  I 
fear  death  no  longer,  I  will  die  with  joy  ;  and  on  the  scaf 


292  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

fold  cried  out,  behold,  I  see  the  heavens  opened:  pointing 
with  his  hands  at  the  place  where  others  observed  a  certain 
brightness  that  did  dazzle  their  eyes  :  and  thus  died  with 
great  cheerfulness.  I  shall  but  add  the  last  words  of  that 
holy  and  great  Mr.  Washart,  who  thus  spake  amidst  the 
fire,  This  flame  doth  torment  my  body,  but  no  whit  abate 
my  spirits. 

Fourth  witness  is.  Those  great  and  remarkable  judg- 
ments of  God,  which  in  these  last  times  have  befallen  the  ad- 
versaries and  persecutors  of  the  church,  who  have  been  most 
notorious  for  their  opposition  to  the  truth :  therein  we  must 
say,  a  divine  hand  hath  been  so  discernible,  that  ordinary 
observers  could  not  pass  the  same  without  a  remark,  but 
must  acknowledge  the  righteous  judgment  of  God.  that  it 
cometh  not  by  guess  and  at  an  adventure,  but  doth  con- 
vincingly seal  the  word. 

This  is  indeed  a  grave  subject,  wherein  we  should  be 
very  serious  and  sober;  fox  the  judgments  of  God  are  a 
great  depth,  nor  can  we  determine  from  events  but  in  so 
far  as  they  answer  to  the  word.  It  may  sometime  happen 
to  wicked  men  according  to  the  work  of  the  righteous  ;  but 
on  the  other  hand  it  is  a  sure  truth,  that  God  is  known  by  the 
judgment  he  executes,  and  in  every  age  doth  point  out  sin  to 
the  world  by  remarkable  strokes,  some  great  examples  of 
judgment,  which  as  a  beacon  are  set  forth  for  men  to  ob- 
serve. And  truly  we  may  say,  those  remarkable  instances 
of  the  judgment  of  God,  since  he  began  to  sound  a  retreat 
to  his  church  from  Babylon,  are  far  beyond  other  preceding 
ages.  I  would  be  sparing  to  repeat  what  of  this  kind  is 
published  by  others,  but  that  in  speaking  to  this  truth,  I 
cannot  pass  it  in  a  general,  whilst  there  are  so  many  in- 
stances wherein  the  Lord  hath  made  himself  known,  and 
these  such  a  convincing  seal  and  confirmation  of  the  truth. 
And  in  the  following  relations*  I  dare  with  confidence  say, 
there  is  not  any  passage  or  matter  of  fact,  here  set  down 
without  some  clear  and  satisfying  grounds  as  to  the  certain- 
ty thereof. 

I  shall  first  instance  Charles  V.  whose  undertakings 
for  many  years  were  followed  with  success,  until  once  he 
set  himself  to  persecute  and  oppress  the  church,  and  bath- 
ed his  sword  in  the  blood  of  the  protestants,  with  his  cruel 
and  unjust  usarre  of  the^  duke  of  Saxony ;  from 
which  time  his  affairs  began  visibly  to  decline,  he  is  forced 
to  flv  before  Mauritius,  and  seek  a  retreat  in  the  furthest 
confines  of  the  empire,  and  after  broken  with  melancholy 
and  discontent,  like  another  Dioclesian,  doth  resign  his 
empire,  and  turn  to  a  private  life. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  293 

Philip  II.  of  Spain,  one  of  the  greatest  persecutors  of 
the  church  in  these  last  ages,  whose  work  was  to  root  out  the 
protestant  religion  in  his  dominions,  and  therefore  set  on 
foot  that  horrid  engine  of  the  inquisition,  yet  at  last 
finds  all  his  essays  frustrated,  and  after  the  loss  of  many 
millions  of  treasures,  and  of  some  10,000  lives  by  \var9 
yea,  of  a  considerable  part  of  the  Netherlands,  and  after 
the  breaking  his  great  armado  at  sea  against  the  English^ 
by  a  very  remarkable  stroke  from  heaven,  is  at  last  smit- 
ten of  the  Lord  in  his  body  by  a  strange  disease,  or  rather 
a  confluence  of  diseases,  which  his  physicians  could  neither 
understand,  nor  cure  ;  his  body  falling  out  in  grievous 
boils,  whence  (besides  putrid  matter)  there  did  issue  suet; 
abundance  of  vermin,  that  standers  by  could  hardly  cleanse, 
or  endure  the  horrid  smell  thereof.  And  he  who  had  put 
so  many  of  the  saints  to  cruel  torments  by  the  inquisition, 
was  himself  tormented,  for  two  years  together,  with  inex- 
pressible pain  and  anguish. 

Henry  II.  iof  France,  a  most  violent  enemy  to  the 
church,  whilst  he  had  caused  sentence  of  Annas  duBurg 
to  death,  having  solemnly  protested  in  such  words,  These 
eyes  of  mine  shall  see  thee  burnt  /  a  little  before  the  appoint- 
ed time  of  his  execution,  running  in  the  lists  with  a  spear 
against  count  Montgomery ,  it  pierced  through  the  eye, 
with  such  a  wound,  that  in  a  short  time  sent  him  to  his 
grave,  and  frustrated  his  expectation  of  seeing  the  death  of 
that  excellent  man.  Jriis  son  Charles  IX.  that  bloody  per,, 
secutor,  I  shall  mention  elsewhere  how  remarkably  the 
jndgment  of  God  did  pursue  him. 
b  Henry  III.  who  (while  he  was  duke  of  AnjouJ  did  as- 
sist at  that  horrid  council  kept  at  St.  Cloud,  near  Paris, 
where  the  massacre  was  concluded,  is  some  years  after 
stabbed  to  death  by  a  Jacobin  friar  in  that  very  chamber  ; 
a  thing  which  Du  Serrcs  doth  twice  mention  with  a  re- 
mirk,  as  a  marvellous  instance  of  the  judgment  of  God. 

The  duke  of  Guise,  the  great  executioner  of  that  massa- 
cre, and  his  brother  the  cardinal,  a  special  contriver  of  the 
same,  are  not  long  after  killed  by  Henry  III.  at  Blois,  with 
whom  they  had  oft  joined  in  counsel,  to  root  cut  the  prot- 
estants  ;  and  which  is  very  observable,  by  a  specious  show 
of  friendship  were  circumvented,  and  with  solemn  oaths 
and  promises  as  treacherously  reached,  as  the  admiral  and 
protestants  by  Charles  IX.  were  at  Paris :  and  these  two, 
who  were  his  great  counsellors,  thus  are  dealt  with,  having 
blood  measured  out  to  them  for  blood  and  treachery,  a$ 
they  had  dealt  treacherously  with  the  saints. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

We  find  also  the  duke  of  Aumale,  who  was  a  joint  actor 
with  the  duke  of  Guise  in  that  massacre,  cloth  a  little  after 
fall  by  a  shot  off  the  walls  at  the  siege  of  Rcchel ;  which  not 
only  Du  Serves  but  also  Da*villaf  who  was  very  popish, 
doth  particularly  relate  ;  where  we  may  see,  what  a  bloody 
€m\  the  great  contrivers  and  actors  ol  that  horrid  massacre 
had. 

Henry  IV.  a  prince  of  excellentparts  and  great  natural 
accomplishments,  was  followed  with  marvellous  success, 
whilst  he  owned  the  truth  ;  yet,  after  many  victories,  and 
xht  breaking  of  the  catholic  league,  turns  popish,  and  ab- 
jures the  protectant  religion  ;  but  lo,  within  a  little  he  is 
stabbed  in  the  mouth  by  a  Jesuit.  On  which,  a  protestant 
gentleman  used  this  freedom  with  him,  Sir,  you  have  deni- 
ed God  and  his  truth  with  your  mouth,  and  he  hath  green 
you  there  a  stroke  ;  take  heed  you  deny  him  not  also  with 
your  heart,  lest  the  next  stroke  be  there!  Which  as  the 
French  history  sheweth,  did  accordingly  fall  out,  when  he 
was  stabbed  by  Ravilack  ;  Du  Serres  his  own  historio- 
grapher doth  shew  it  was  through  the  very  heart ;  and  it 
was  too  evident,  that  sometime  before  his  death,  he  had 
turned  cordial  and  zealous  for  the  popish  interest. 

Ferdinand  II.  a  great  persecutor  of  the  church  in  Germa- 
ny, who  after  his  victory  over  Frederick  and  the  Bohemian 
states,  made  it  his  work  to  root  out  the  church  and  protest- 
ant religion  there,  and  turned  that  country  unto  a  bloody 
shambles  ;  not  sparing  any  rank,  who  would  not  abjure 
the  truth  :  but  a  short  time  after,  we  find  the  avenger  of 
blood  (in  whose  sight  that  of  his  saints  is  precious)  pursu- 
eth  him,  raiseth  up  the  Swedes  for  an  adversary,  under 
whose  sword  most  of  those  cruel  wretches,  that  were  the 
Bohemian  scourge,  do  fail,  turneth  Germany  and  the  em- 
peror's countries  into  a  field  of  blood  ;  breaketh  that  great 
army,  which  for  many  years  had  given  law  to  Germany, 
so  that  (as  some  historians  mention)  an  army  of  24,000 
captains,  because  all  old  expert  soldiers,  was  broken  in  the 
plain  fields  with  a  huge  slaughter  :  yea,  the  violence  and 
cruelty  of  the  popish  party  was  thus  measured  out  to  them, 
as  they  had  measured  to  the  poor  church  of  Bohemia,  and 
the  Palatinate  ;  and  Ferdinand  the  emperor  broken  with 
breach  upon  breach,  that  men  may  see  the  judgment  of 
God  pursuing  a  bloody  persecutor. 

Those  barbarous  cruel  Irish,  who  of  late  carried  on  that 
horrid  massacre  there,  sparing  no  protestants,  whatever 
was  their  age  or  rank,  without  compassion  to  women  or 
children,  O  how  visibly  did  the  judgment  of  the  Lord 
reach  them,  and  for  that  savage  blood  shed  give  them  bloocl 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  295 

to  drink  in  great  measure  !  their  chief  leader  Macguier^ 
Machine,  and  after  Philomy  Oneale  taken,  publickly  exe- 
cuted, most  of  them  consumed  by  the  sword,  their  spirits 
so  debased,  that  a  lew  English  or  Scots  soldiers  would 
have  chased  multitudes  of  them  ;  so  that  the  work!  might 
see  divine  vengeance  eminently  pursuing  them,  which  in  a 
few  years  did  root  out  most  of  that  cruel  generation. 

We  have  an  observable  instance  also  recorded  of  Sir 
James  Hamilton,  natural  brother  to  the  earl  of  Arran, 
who  in  the  time  of  king  James  V.  was  by  the  popish  cler- 
gy promoted  against  such  as  were  then  suspected  of  favour- 
ing the  protestant  religion,  in  which  place  he  was  most  ter- 
rible and  cruel  against  all  he  could  reach,  yea,  so  violent 
that  some  of  his  near  kinsmen  were  by  him  brought  under 
the  lash  of  his  power :  but  lo,  when  at  his  greatest  height, 
whilst  he  is  making  it  his  work  to  crush  the  gospel  in  its 
budding  forth,  this  is  made  the  means  of  his  ruin,  and  by 
one  of  his  friends,  whom  he  pursued  on  the  account  of  re- 
ligion, he  is  accused  of  treason,  and  notwithstanding  of  the 
solicitation  of  the  popish  clergy  for  him  as  their  great  patri- 
ot, he  is  presently  arraigned,  beheaded  and  quartered  in 
the  public  street  of  Edinburgh. 

It  is  also  known,  what  violent  persecutors  cardinal  Bea- 
ton and  his  successor  bishop  Hamilton  were,  who  were  no 
less  conspicuous  instances  of  the  judgments  of  the  Lord  in 
that  time  :  also  what  befel  one  friar  Cambel,  who  did  bit- 
terly rail  on  that  excellent  man  Mr.  Patrick  Hamilton, 
when  he  was  burnt  at  St.  Andrews,  to  whom  Mr.  Hamil- 
ton at  the  stake  in  great  vehemency  said,  "  Wicked  man, 
thou  knowest  the  contrary,  and  hast  sometime  professed 
the  same,  I  appeal  thee  to  answer  before  the  judgment  seat 
of  Christ. "  And  within  a  few  days  after  (which  in  that 
time  was  well  known)  this  friar  fell  sick,,  and  in  great  hor- 
ror of  conscience,  as  one  mad,  died. 

There  are  indeed  many  such  remarkable  instances.  It 
is  known,  how  the  judgment  of  God  did  pursue  those 
three  great  apostates  from  the  truth,  Olhares,  chancellor 
of  France,  Latomus,  and  Francis  Spira,  who  after  they 
had  quitted  their  profession,  and  against  their  light  denied 
the  truth,  died  with  great  horror  of  conscience,  crying  out 
to  standers  by,  what  a  hell  they  found  within  them  !  Du 
SerresAoih  shew,  how  that  chancellor  of  France,  through 
the  torment  and  anguish  of  his  mind,  caused  the  very  bed 
to  shake  under  him.  But  since  there  are  many  examples 
of  this  kind  already  upon  record,  I  do  the  more  briefly 
touch  it;  and  shall  only  add  some  few  which  are 
worthy  of  a  remark  in  our  own  land  (  Scotland)  how  visi- 


2SS  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

bly  the  Lord  did  pursue  by  his  judgment  some  who  had 
deserted  the  truth,  and  turned  opposers  and  persecutors 
thereof  in  their  promoting  antichristian  prelacy,  contrary 
to  their  former  profession  and  engagements. 

1.  I  shall  instance  Mr.  Patrick  Adamson,  a  preacher 
once  of  great  repute  in  this  land,  but  one  whom  ambition 
and  private  interest  swayed  more  than  the  interest  of 
Christ,  who  insinuating  himself  in  the  king's  favour,  made 
it  his  work  to  overturn  the  established  government  and 
discipline  of  the  church,  until  he  got  himself  settled  arch-' 
bishop  of  St.  Andrews,  and  prelacy  by  his  means  advanc- 
ed, which  the  church  from  her  first  reformation  from  pope- 
ry had  disclaimed  ;  yea,  in  this  height  of  his  power  and 
grandeur,  turned  an  avowed  persecutor  of  his  brethren  : 
at  which  time  he  used  to  boast  of  three  things,  which  he 
said  could  not  fail  him,  his  riches,  learnings  and  the  king's 
favour.  But  a  little  after,  as  was  then  most  known,  he 
was  by  the  righteous  judgment  of  God,  brought  to  this  pass 
that  his  parts  did  so  far  wither  and  dry  up,  that  in  seeking 
a  blessing  on  his  meat,  he  could  scarce  speak  a  few  wTords 
of  sense,  though  once  admired  for  his  eloquence:  as  for 
his  riches,  he  was  forced  to  get  charity  from  those  ministers 
whom  he  before  persecuted  :  and  for  the  kin  gys  favour,  he 
was  so  abhorred  by  him,  that  as  he  himself  professed  when 
the  stroke  of  God  brought  him  to  some  sense  of  his  condi- 
tion, he  %vas  sure  the  king  did  care  more  for  the  worst  of  his 
dogs  than  for  him.  And  thus  in  great  misery  he  died,  cast 
off  by  the  world  whose  favour  he  had  only  sought.  His 
public  acknowledgment  of  his  guilt  and  apostacy,  and  of 
the  Lord's  hand  pursuing  the  same,  was  by  himself  sub- 
scribed, before  divers  eminent  and  worthy  ministers  of  the 
church,  who  did  also  by  their  subscription  attest  the  same, 
and  was  afterwards  printed. 

It  is  also  manifest,  how  the  Lord  in  his  judgment  did 
pursue  that  wretched  man,  his  successor,  bishop  Spots- 
wood,  who  in  a  more  subtile  way  did  endeavour  the  over- 
turning the  discipline  and  liberties  of  the  church,  for  set- 
ting up  of  prelacy,  and  by  underhand  dealing,  got  himself 
first  thrust  into  Glasgow,  and  after  to  be  archbishop  of 
St.  Andrews,  yea,  at  last  was  chancellor  of  Scotland,  his 
eldest  son  a  baron  in  Fife,  and  his  second  son  president  of 
the  session,  his  daughter  also  married  to  Rosline,  then  a 
considerable  baron.  But  let  us  see  where  this  ends,  what 
an  eminent  example  in  all  these  respects  of  the  judgment  of 
God,  he  was,  and  therein  the  prophecy  of  that  great  man, 
Mi \  IFclsh,  accomplished,  who  did  foretell  in  a  letter, 
whilst  he  was  prisoner  at  Blacknesst  that  he  should  be  at 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture,  297 

a  stone  cast  out  of  a  sling  by  the  hand  of  God,  his  name 
should  rot,  and  a  malediction  on  his  posterity.  And  truly 
this  is  known  what  become  of  him  in  the  year  1638.  How 
he  was  excommunicated  by  the  church  ;  did  flee  into  Eng- 
land, where  in  great  misery  he  died ;  his  eldest  son,  Sir 
John  Spotsivood,  was  sometime  brought  to  beg  his  bread, 
which  is  known  to  many  yet  alive  ;  his  second  son,  who 
was  president  of  the  session,  being  taken  at  the  battle  of 
Philiphauch,  was  beheaded  at  St.  Andrews,  and  his  Oy 
young  Darzie,  beheaded  at  Edinburgh  ;  and  for  his 
daughter  who  was  married  to  Rosline,  it  is  known,  how 
quickly  after,  that  estate  was  rooted  out,  and  turned  from 
that  race. 

Mr.  James  Nicolsonne,  one  very  eminent  in  his  time 
for  parts,  and  judgment  in  the  affairs  of  the  church,  yea, 
once  very  zealous  for  the  truth,  and  a  great  opposer  of  pre- 
lacy, when  it  fi:  st  began  to  assault  the  church,  but  at  last 
was  turned  aside,  by  court  insinuations  gets  the  bishop  rick 
of  Dunkel ;  yea,  turns  most  forward  to  promote  that  inter- 
est. But  lo  !  in  a  short  time  he  is  stricken  by  the  Lord 
with  sickness,  and  great  horror  of  conscience  within,  can 
get  no  rest,  his  friends  in  vain  endeavouring  to  comfort 
him ;  and  when  they  would  have  brought  physicians,  he 
told  them,  his  disease  was  of  another  kind,  for  which  they 
could  give  no  physic,  which  pressed  him  more  than  his 
sickness,  that  against  so  much  light  and  against  his  con- 
science he  had  opposed  the  truth,  and  yielded  up  the  lib- 
erties of  the  kingdom  of  Christ  to  please  an  earthly  king  : 
and  he  charged  his  children,  that  nothing  which  he  had  ac- 
quired since  he  was  prelate,  should  go  amongst  the  rest  of 
his  estate.  And  thus  in  great  bitterness  and  grief  he  died, 
whereupon  his  brother  in  law  Mr.  David  Eindsey,  then  a 
witness,  made  some  verses  in  Latin. 

Solatur  frustra,  conjunx,  solantur  amici, 

Et  medicum  accersi,  sedulo  quisque  jubet. 
Sed  dare  solomen  nemo,  dare  nemo  saiutem, 
Te  prseter  poterit,  Rex  Jacobe,  mi  hi, 
Qux  corpus  gravat,  atque  animam,  tantum  exime  mitra: 

Huic  caput,  hujus  onus  me  premit,  et  perimit. 

Mr.  William  Couper,  sometime  minister  of  Perth,  one 
who  witnessed  much  zeal  against  prelacy,  both  by  preach- 
ing and^  writing  ;  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  George  Graham,  who 
had  written  to  him  entreating  his  charity  towards  his  own 
conforming,  he  hath  these  words,  Sir,  for  ifottrself  I '  n&oer 
hated  you,  but  the  course  you  are  hi  I  never  loved :  ho\j 
o  o 


298  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

dangerous  is  their  estate,  who  cannot  rise,  but  with  the  fall 
of  many  who  in  Christ  have  entered  the  right  way  to  the 
ministry :  closing  these  fountains,  which  God  hath  opened? 
Doing  in  a  matter  of  conscience  with  doubting,  turns  men's 
light  to  darkness  ;  whence  follows  induration :  therefore  I 
cannot  stand  with  you,  except  to  witness  to  God  in  my  heart 
against  you.  And  thus  shuts  up  his  letter,  Consider  your- 
self where  you  was,  and  where  you  now  are,  et  quantulum 
sit  illud  propter  quod  nos  reliquisti.  This  I  set  down  to 
shew  what  sometimes  he  was  :  yet  shortly  after,  this  man 
turns  to  a  bishoprick,  was  loathed  by  the  godly  in  that  time, 
some  of  his  old  friends  brought  his  own  sermons  to  him, 
and  desired  him  to  reconcile  them  with  his  after  actings, 
which  did  visibly  affright  and  disquiet  him  ;  and  one  day 
being  at  pastime  near  to  Leith,  he  was  suddenly  terrified, 
with  apprehension  that  he  saw  armed  men  coming  upon 
him  :  those  who  were  with  him,  told  him,  there  was  no 
such  thing,  it  was  only  a  dream  ;  whereupon  he  became 
silent,  and  fell  a  trembling  ;  but  after  he  went  home,  took 
bed  and  died  in  much  anguish  and  trouble  of  spirit,  being 
observed  to  point  oft  with  his  finger  to  the  earth,  crying  out 
these  words,  A  fallen  star  !  a  fallen  star  /  It  was  also 
known,  how  for  divers  years  he  had  been  seized  upon 
with  an  hypochondriac  distemper,  apprehending  he  was  all 
glass  ;  whereupon  worthy  Mr.  Simson  of  Sterling,  who 
had  sometimes  been  his  familiar,  hearing  of  his  court  ad- 
vancement, had  this  line  : 

Aureus,  heu  !  fragilem  confregit  malleus  urnam. 

A  very  convincing  instance  of  the  judgment  of  God  in 
that  time,  was  one  Mr.  Andrew  Foster,  minister  at  Dum- 
fermling,  who  being  sent  commissioner  to  the  assembly  at 
Glasgow,  1610,  and  solemnly  adjured,  as  he  should  an- 
swer to  Jesus  Christ,  by  his  brethren,  not  to  consent  to 
any  alteration  of  the  government  of  the  church,  yet  not- 
withstanding voted  for  prelacy,  having  got  50  marks  from 
the  earl  of  Dumbar,  (who  made  use  of  that  argument  to 
break  some  of  these  wretches)  a  small  sum  indeed  to  sell 
the  cause  of  Christ,  and  by  him  very  dear  bought.  For  af- 
ter his  return,  he  falleth  into  sickness,  and  upon  his  recov- 
ery from  that  was  seised  with  horror  of  conscience,  so 
that  he  run  out  of  the  pulpit  whilst  he  was  going  to  preach, 
confessing  he  had  sold  Christ  at  that  assembly  for  money  ; 
that  being  poor  and  having  a  numerous  family,  he  had 
chosen  rather  to  make  haste,  than  believe  ;  and  thus  laid 
aside  his  ministry,  requesting  Mr.  John  Murrey,  who 
then  was  silenced  by  the  bishop,  that  for  Christ's  sake  he 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  299 

would  take  the  charge  of  that  place.  After  which  he  fell 
into  a  great  distraction,  and  became  in  some  measure 
mad  :  and  though  he  did  something  recover,  yet  died  in 
great  infamy,  poor,  and  drowned  in  debt,  a  very  convinc- 
ing example  of  the  judgment  of  God.  This,  old  Mr. 
Row,  of  Carnock,  being  then  a  minister  in  the  same  pres- 
bytery, sets  down  under  his  hand,  which  he  most  certain- 
ly knew. 

I  shall  only  add  two  remarkable  instances  of  the  Lord's 
judgment  within  these  few  years,  that  should  not  be  pass- 
ed without  a  remark. 

The  first  relates  to  a  considerable  family  in  this  coun- 
try, who  made  it  their  work  to  trouble  and  persecute  the 
minister  of  that  parish,  an  eminently  holy  and  faithful  man ; 
yea,  upon  the  account  of  his  faithfulness  the  old  laird  of 
that  house  out  of  malice  doth  pursue  him  with  a  false  libel 
before  the  synod,  using  all  means  he  could  to  reproach  his 
name,  having  it  as  his  design,  either  to  get  him  broken  and 
put  out  of  the  parish,  or  at  least  to  crush  his  spirit,  and 
weaken  him  in  the  exercise  of  the  ministry  ;  but  doth  there 
meet  with  a  disappointment,  the  Lord  clearing  the  inno- 
cence of  his  servant,  and  the  malice  of  the  other,  so  that 
even  such  who  otherwise  wanted  not  a  prejudice  at  him, 
were  forced  to  acknowledge  this  ;  at  which  time  that  gen- 
tleman, whilst  he  went  to  the  stable  where  his  horses  were; 
being  then  at  the  synod  upon  that  account,  is  in  the  place 
stricken  with  sickness,  forced  to  haste  home  and  take  bed, 
and  there  seized  with  horror  of  conscience,  which  made 
him  oft  cry,  entreating  most  earnestly  for  his  minister 
whom  he  had  thus  persecuted,  and  oft  had  these  words, 
0  to  see  his  face,  yea,  told  his  friends  that  if  he  would  not 
come  to  him,  they  should  carry  him  to  his  house  ;  but  his 
lady  out  of  malice  did  in  a  most  rude  and  violent  way 
hinder  the  minister's  access  to  him,  and  thus  that  poor 
gentleman  in  great  horror  and  anguish  dieth.  After  his 
death,  his  lady  cloth  still  pursue  the  quarrel,  with  no  less 
malice,  until  she  also  falleth  sick,  and  therewith  had  much 
terror  upon  her  conscience  ;  yea,  did  no  less  cry  out  for  the 
minister,  who  then  was  providentially  absent,  so  that  she 
^  B  put  to  cry,  and  in  that  denied,  which  she  did  hinder  to 
.er  poor  husband  ;  though  at  last,  he  came  to  her  before 
her  death,  to  whom  she  with  much  bitterness  confessed 
her  wrong.  After  this  a  young  man,  their  chaplain,  who 
had  been  engaged  by  them  to  appear  as  a  witness  against 
that  godly  man,  was  so  terrified  in  his  conscience,  that  he 
could  get  no  rest,  until  he  went  to  the  next  synod,  to  ac- 
knowledge that  horrid  sin,  in  bearing  false  witness  against 


300  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

his  minister ;  but  being  there  kept  by  some  from  a  public 
appearance,  he.  went  to  another  part  of  the  country,  where, 
it  is  certainly  reported,  he  died  distracted.  Now  last  of  all 
the  young  laird,  who  did  succeed  in  that  estate,  would 
needs  pursue  the  quarrel,  and  finding  more  aecess  through 
the  change  of  the  time,  did  so  endeavour  with  some  who 
were  in  power,  that  an  order  was  passed  for  banishing  him 
out  of  that  parish  :  and  though  he  was  then  otherwise 
staged,  upon  the  account  of  the  public  cause,  yet,  il.  was 
known,  the  violent  pursuit  of  that  gentleman  was  the  main 
cause  of  this  sentence,  which  those  who  had  hand  in  pass- 
ing it,  did  themselves  confess.  For  he  had  solemnly 
sworn,  that  if  he  lived  in  that  place,  that  man  should  not  be 
minister  there  :  but  Jo  !  a  lew  days  after,  having  returned 
to  his  house,  and  boasting,  how  he  had  kept  his  word,  and 
now  got  his  minister  cast  out  of  the  parish,  he  was  sudden- 
ly struck  by  the  Lord  with  an  high  fever,  which  plucked 
him  away  in  the  very  strength  of  his  years.  This  1  had  re- 
lated, as  it  is  here  set  down,  from  a  grave  christian,  the  par- 
ty himself  being  present,  which  he  did  humbly  decline  to 
relate,  though  he  could  not  but  assent  thereto. 

The  second  is  one  David  Machryar,  who  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  late  parliament,  being  one  of  the  commissioners 
6f  the  boroughs,  a  man  most  notorious  in  the  country 
where  he  lived  for  a  lewd  and  gross  practice,  but  most  re- 
markable and  known  beyond  others  for  his  violence  and 
rage  against  the  godly,  as  he  shewed  by  his  carriage,  both 
in  the  parliament,  and  afterwards  where  he  could  have  ac- 
cess, did  set  himself  to  trouble  and  persecute  such  undu 
that  reproachful  name  offanaiieks;  but  within  some  time 
thereafter,  whilst  he  was  forced  to  retire  by  reason  of  debt, 
for  fear  of  caption,  he  was  found  one  day  walking  alone,  by 
one  who  was  then  come  out  of  the  north  to  that  country, 
and  had  ridden  forth,  to  see  if  he  could  catch  any  of  that 
party  whom  he  judged  was  then  lurking,  and  supposing 
upon  his  reencounter,  that  he  was  surely  one  of  these, 
would  needs  apprehend  him,  but  he  upon  his  resistance 
and  struggling  against  him,  was  by  him  run  through  with  a 
sword,  and  immediately  killed  on  the  place,  upon  that  very 
account  and  persuasion,  that  he  wzsxjanatick,  and  rebel, 
as  he  then  termed  him.  Thus  he  who  had  declared  him- 
self ail  enemy  to  the  people  of  God,  whom  he  was  wont  in 
reproach  to  a\\\fanaticks,  was  himself  under  that  very  no- 
tion and  upon  that  ground,  cut  down  by  one  of  his  own 
stamp  and  principles.  O  was  not  this  the  finger  of  God, 
and  a  convincing  proof  of  his  righteous  judgment ! 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  301 

Fifth  witness,  which  holds  forth  the  Lord's  eminent  ap- 
pearing, and  something  of  an  extraordinary  power,  in  the 
late  raising  and  reformation  of  the  church  from  antichrist- 
ianism,  is  this,  that  large  measure  of  the  Spirit,  and  out- 
pouring thereof  which  did  convincing iy  follow  the  gospel 
and  ministry  of  the  word  in  these  last  times ;  a  truth  which, 
we  must  say,  hath  been  manifest,  and  by  many  solemn 
proofs  thereof  demonstrated,  no  less  than  in  the  first  plant- 
ing of  the  christian  church. 

It  is  undeniable,  how  great  a  witness  to  the  truth,  the 
Spirit  and  downpouring  thereof  is.  For  this  is  God's 
own  seal,  which  is  not  put  to  a  lie,  or  falsehood.  Thus  he 
bears  witness  to  his  work  in  the  hearts  of  his  people,  and 
by  this  also  the  Lord  doth  seal  and  attest  the  doctrine  of 
the  church,  and  the  commission  of his  servants  who  pub- 
lish the  same  ;  yea,  at  some  special  seasons,  as  when  the 
truth  hath  least  countenance  or  encouragement  from  with- 
out, times  of  contradiction  when  men  will  not  receive  its 
testimony,  and  a  strong  current  oi  opposition  is  to  the  gos- 
pel, then  hath  this  in  a  more  full  and  large  measure  been  dis- 
cernible. Thus  did  the  Lord  eminently  own  and  confirm 
the  christian  religion  in  the  days  of  the  apostles,  and  for 
some  following  ages,  by  se  great  a  downpouring  of  the 
Spirit,  such  visible  and  extraordinary  effects  thereof  as  did 
then  astonish  the  world,  and  force  men  to  confess  some- 
thing above  nature,  that  this  was  surely  the  great  work  and 
power  of  God:  and  have  we  not  a  1. so  cause  to  say,  that 
thus  the  Lord  hath  borne  a  very  solemn  testimony  to  his 
truth,  the  work  of  reformation,  and  doctrine  of  the  reform- 
ed churches,  in  these  late  times  ?  about  which  I  dare  ap- 
peal to  observers,  yea,  the  adversaries,  to  their  own  con- 
science, if  without  shutting  their  eyes  they  could  shift  the 
conviction  of  a  convincing  appearance  of  God,  in  the  pow- 
er and  efficacy  of  the  Spirit,  even  in  a  more  than  ordinary 
way  accompanying  the  word  and  ordinances;  power,  which 
carried  kingdoms  and  cities  before  it,  yea,  in  a  very  short 
time  against  the  greatest  violence  and  opposition.  To 
clear  this  a  little,  I  shall  point  at  some  few  remarkable  evi- 
dences, which  might  stare  the  grossest  of  men  in  the  face, 
and  in  some  measure  convince  them  of  this  truth. 

1.  It  is  evident,  that  marvellous  conquest  which  the  gos- 
pel had  in  Germany,  by  the  ministry  of  Luther,  Melanch- 
ton,  Bucer,  Martyr,  Musculus,  and  a  few  others  of  those 
excellent  instruments,  whom  the  Lord  then  sent  forth. 
O  was  not  this  a  day  of  the  Spirit,  and  the  pouring  forth 
thereof  in  a  large  measure,  a  day  of  the  gospel's  triumph, 
not  by  tnight,  or  by  power  ;  yet  such  as  before  it  the  world 


b02  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

could  not  stand  !  cities  and  countries  might  then  be  said 
to  be  born  at  once  ;  the  arm  of  the  Lord  revealed  with  the 
same,  that  men  were  either  scorched,  or  truly  warmed  and 
gained  thereby.  Did  not  that  marvellous  power  and  effi- 
cacy of  the  Spirit  also  attend  the  ministry  olZuinglius  and 
Oecolampadius,  in  Zurick,  and  Basil,  when  so  thorough  a 
reformation  followed,  to  the  throwing  down  of  images, 
abolishing  of  the  mass  by  public  authority,  notwithstand- 
ing its  long  continuance  ;  and  all  this  in  a  short  time  !  The 
Spirit,  and  power  of  God  did  very  eminently  appear  also, 
in  those  famous  plantations  of  the  gospel  by  the  ministry 
o{  Calvin,  Farcl,  and  Virct  in  Geneva,  Lausanna,  and  oth- 
er adjacent  provinces.  It  is  written  in  the  life  of  Viret, 
that  at  Lyons,  which  was  a  great  populous  city,  he  preach- 
ed in  an  open  place,  where  divers  thousands  were  convert- 
ed to  the  truth  ;  yea,  some  who  came  by  with  no  purpose 
to  hear,  only  out  of  curiosity  stepped  in,  were  so  wrought 
and  overcome  with  the  power  of  the  word,  as  for  that  time 
made  them  even  neglect  their  other  business. 

2.  That  great  success,  which  did  attend  the  ministry  of 
Mr.  Wishart  in  Scotland,  can  also  witness  this  truth  : 
whence  so  marvellous  a  change  did  quickly  follow,  in  those 
places  where  he  preached,  through  Angus,  Lothian,  and 
die  western  parts  ;  yea,  how  much  the  spirits  of  the  peo- 
ple were  then  raised  and  affected  with  the  word.  But  this, 
being  a  thing  so  known  from  the  histories  of  that  time,  I 
only  name. 

3.  Besides  those  which  are  more  known,  and  upon 
public  record,  I  must  here  instance  a  very  solemn  and  ex- 
traordinary outpouring  of  the  Spirit,  which  about  the  year 
1625,  and  thereafter,  was  in  the  west  of  Scotland:  whilst 
the  persecution  of  the  church  there  was  hot  from  the  pre- 
latic  party.  This,  by  the  profane  rabble  of  that  time,  was 
called  the  Stew  art  on  sickness  :  for  in  that  parish  first,  but 
after  through  much  of  that  country,  particularly  at  Irivine, 
under  the  ministry  of  famous  Mr.  Dickson  it  was  most  re- 
markable. Where  it  can  be  said  (which  divers  ministers 
and  christians  yet  alive  can  witness)  that  for  a  considerable 
time,  few  sabbaths  did  pass  without  some  evidently  con- 
certed, and  some  convincing  proofs  of  the  power  of  God  ac- 
companying his  word:  yea,  that  many  were  so  choaked and 
taken  by  the  heart,  that  through  terror  (the  Spirit  in  such 
a  measure  convincing  them  of  sin  in  hearing  of  the  word  J 
they  have  been  made  to  fall  over  and  thus  carried  out  of 
the  church,  who  after  proved  most  solid  and  lively  christ- 
ians :  and,  ask  was  known,  some  of  the  most  gross,  who 
used  to  meek  at  religion,  being  engaged,  upon  the  fame  that 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  $03 

went  abroad  of  such  things,  to  go  to  some  of  those  parts 
where  the  gospel  was  then  most  lively,  have  been  effectual- 
ly reached  before  their  return,  with  a  visible  change  fol- 
lowing the  same.  And  truly,  this  great  spring  tide  (which 
I  may  so  call)  of  the  gospel,  was  not  of  a  S/60/7  time,  but 
for  some  years'  continuance ;  yea  thus,  like  a  spreading 
moor  burn,  the  power  of  godliness  did  advance  from  one 
place  to  another,  which  put  a  marvellous  lustre  on  these 
parts  of  the  country,  the  savour  whereof  brought  many 
from  other  parts  of  the  land  to  see  the  truth  of  tire  same. 

4.  I  must  also  mention  that  solemn  communion  at  the 
Kirk  of  tire  Shots,  June  20,  1630  ;  at  which  time  th&te 
was  so  convincing  an  appearance  of  God,  and  downpour- 
ing  of  the  Spirit,  even  in  an  extraordinary  way,  that  did 
follow  the  ordinances,  especially  that  sermon  on  the  Man- 
day,  June  21,  with  a  strange  unusual  motion  on  the  hear- 
ers, who  in  a  great  multitude  were  there  convened  of  divers 
ranks  ;  that  it  was  known  (which  I  can  speak  on  sure 
ground)  near  500  had  at  that  time  a  discernible  change 
wrought  on  diem,  of  whom  most  proved  lively  christians 
afterward:  it  was  the  sowing  of  a  seed  through  Clidesdeal. 
so  as  many  of  most  eminent  christians  in  that  country, 
could  date  either  their  conversion,  or  some  remarkable  con- 
firmation in  their  case,  from  that  day.  And  truly  this 
was  the  more  remarkable,  that  one  after  much  reluctance, 
by  a  special  and  unexpected  providence,  was  called  to 
preach  that  sermon  on  the  Monday,  which  then  was  not 
usually  practised  :  and  that  night  before,  by  most  of  the 
christians  there,  was  spent  in  prayer  ;  so  that  the  Mon- 
day's work,  as  a  convincing  return  of  prayer,  might  be 
discerned. 

5.  I  shall  here  also  instance  that  solemn  and  great  work 
of  God,  which  was  in  the  church  of  Ireland  some  years 
before  the  fall  of  prelacy,  about  the  year  1628,  and  some 
years  thereafter.  Which,  as  many  grave  and  solid  christ- 
ians yet  alive  can  witness,  who  were  there  present,  was  a 
bright  and  hot  sunshine  of  the  gospel ;  yea,  may  with  sobri- 
ety be  said,  to  have  been  one  of  the  largest  manifestations 
of  the  Spirit,  and  of  the  most  solemn  times  of  the  down- 
pouring  thereof,  that  almost  since  the  days  of  the  apostles 
hath  been  seen  :  where  the  power  of  God  did  sensibly  ac- 
company the  word  with  an  unusual  motion  upon  the  hear- 
ers, and  a  very  great  tack  as  to  the  conversion  of  souls  to 
Christ;  the  goings  of  the  Lord  then  full  of majesty,  and 
the  shout  of  a  king  was  heard  in  these  solemn  meetings  of 
his  people  ;  that  as  a  judicious  old  christian  who  was  there 
present,  did  express  it,  he  thought  it  was  like  a  dazzling 


304  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scrip  tin  e. 

beam  and  ray  of  God,  with  such  an  unusual  brightness,  as 
even  forced  bystanders  to  an  astonishment  ;  a  very  effect- 
ual door  opened,  with  more  than  ordinary  enlargement, 
which  the  ministers  of  Christ  there  did  find  in  preaching 
the  word,  whilst  the  people  might  be  seen  hearing  the  same 
in  a  melting  frame,  with  much  tenderness  of  spirit.  Sure- 
ly this  was  the  very  power  of  God,  a  convincing  seal  to  the 
truth,  and  ministry  of  his  servants,  who  were  then  perse 
cuted  by  the  prelates  ;  yea,  a  thing  which  (as  it  was  known) 
had  an  awful  impression,  and  was  a  terror  to  their  adver- 
saries. I  remember  amongst  other  passages,  what  a  wor~ 
thy  christian  told  me,  how  sometimes  in  hearing  the  word, 
such  a  power  imd  evidence  of  the  Lord's  presence  was  with 
it,  that  he  hath  been  forced  to  rise,  and  look  through  the 
church,  and  see  what  the  people  were  doing  ;  thinking, 
irom  what  he  felt  on  his  own  spirit,  it  was  a  wonder  how 
any  could  go  away  without  some  change  upon  them.  And 
then  it  was  sweet  and  easy  for  christians  to  come  thirty , 
forty  miles  to  these  solemn  communions,  which  they  had  ; 
and  there  continue,  from  the  time  they  came,  until  they 
returned,  without  wearying,  or  making  use  of  sleep,  yea, 
but  little  either  meat  or  drink,  and  as  some  of  them  pro- 
fessed, did  not  feel  the  need  thereof;  but  went  away  most 
fresh  and  vigorous,  their  souls  so  filled  with  sense  of 
God. 

6.  That  was  also  a  remarkable  time,  wherein  the  Lord 
did  pour  forth  much  of  the  Spirit  on  his  people  in  the  year 
1638,  when  this  nation  did  solemnly  enter  in  covenant 
which  many  yet  alive  at -this  day  do  know,  how  the  spirits 
of  men  were  raised,  and  wrought  on  by  the  word,  the  or- 
dinances lively,  and  longed  after  :  for  then  did  the  nation 
own  the  Lord,  and  was  visibly  owned  by  him  ;  much  zeal 
and  an  enlarged  heart  did  appear  for  the  public  cause ;  per- 
sonal reformation  seriously  set  about ;  and  then  also  was 
there  a  remarkable  gale  of  providence,  that  did  attend  the 
actings  of  his  people,  which  did  astonish  their  adversaries, 
and  forced  many  of  them  to  feign  subjection.  Alas,  how 
is  our  night  come  on  !  For  thuLord  hath  in  anger  covered 
the  face  of  the  daughter  of  Zion  with  a  dark  cloud. 

7.  Must  not  we  also  say,  since  the  land  was  engaged  by 
covenant  to  the  Lord,  in  these  late  times,  what  a  solemn 
outpouring  of  the  Spirit  hath  been  seen  !  A  large  harvest, 
with  much  of  theiiuit  of  the  gospel  discernible,  which  we 
may  say  with  a  warrant,  hath  been  proved  in  the  inbring- 
ing  of  thousands  to  Christ !  a  part  w  hereof  now  are  in  glo- 
ry, and  many  jet  live,  who  are  a  visible  seal  to  this  truth  : 
of  Whom.  I  am  sure,  some  will  not  lose  the  remembrance 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  205 

bf  those  sweet  refreshing  times,  which  the  land  for  several 
years  did  enjoy,  of  the  gospel  and  of  many  solemn  com- 
munions, where  a  large  blessing  with  much  of  the  Spirit, 
and  power  of  God,  was  felt  accompanying  the  ordinances. 
If  it  were  expedient  to  set  down  circumstances,  I  could 
here  point  at  many  such  remarkable  limes  and  places, 
which  would  clearly  demonstrate  this. 

Now,  besides  these  more  public  and  obvious  proofs,  it 
is  known,  what  a  great  testimony  the  experience  of  the 
godly  in  these  late  times  could  give  to  this  truth,  what  they 
have  in  a  large  measure  felt  of  the  power  and  refreshing  ef- 
fusions of  the  Spirit  within  their  soul  ;  yea,  how  oft  after 
sorest  downeasting  have  been  wonderfully  raised  above 
themselves,  and  filled  with  the  consolation  of  God,  and 
joy  unspeakable  :  this  would  indeed  make  a  great  volume, 
to  reckon  over  all  these  instances,  even  these  whose  expe- 
rience in  these  last  ages  could  in  a  large  measure  witness 
this  truth.     Only  to  shut  this  up,  I  shall  name  these  two. 

1.  Mr.  Welsh,  and  Mr.  Forbes,  two  great  witnesses  of 
Christ  in  this  land,  when  they  were  prisoners,  give  this  ac- 
count of  their  case  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  James  Mehin,  and 
his  uncle,  then  at  London,  which  under  the  said  Mr.  Mcl- 
tiiri's  band  is  set  down  in  a  manuscript  of  his  ;  their  words 
are  these,  "  Dear  brethren,  we  dare  say  by  experience, 
and  our  God  is  witness  we  lie  not,  that  unspeakable  is  the 
joy,  that  is  in  a  free  and  full  testimony  qf  Christ's  royal 
authority,  unspeakable  is  the  joy  of  suffering  for  his  king- 
dom. (For  on  that  truth  was  their  suffering  stated.)  We 
had  never  such  joy  and  peace  in  preaching  of  it,  as  we  have 
found  in  suffering  for  the  same  :  we  spake  before  in  knowl- 
edge, we  now  speak  by  experience,  that  the  kingdom  of 
God  consists  in  peace  and  joy."  And  in  another  letter, 
thus  they  say,  "  Our  joy  hath  greatly  abounded,  since  the 
last  day  (which  was  after  passing  sentence  of  death  on  them 
by  assize  at  Linlithgow  J  so  that  we  cannot  enough  won- 
der at  the  riches  of  his  free  grace,  that  should  have  vouch- 
safed such  a  gift  upon  us,  to  suffer  for  his  kingdom,  in 
which  there  is  joy  unspeakable  and  glorious  ;  and  we  are 
rather  in  fear,  that  they  (to  wit,  the  sufferings)  be  not^con- 
tinued,  and  so  we  be  robbed  of  further  consolation,  than 
that  they  should  increase.  Surely  there  is  great  consola- 
tion in  suffering  for  Christ :  we  do  not  express  unto  you 
the  joy,  which  our  God  had  caused  to  abound  in  us. 

2.  1  shall  also  mention  that  great  servant  of  Christ  Mr. 
Rutherford,  whose  letters  now  published  can  witness  what 
solemn  days  of  the  Spirit,  and  sensible  outpourings  thereof, 
he  oft  had  in  his  experience  ;  though  books  can  tell  b\rt 

p  p 


306  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

little  what  he  really  felt,  and  enjoyed.  I  shall  only  set 
down  some  of  his  last  and  dying  expressions,  which  I  had 
from  rhose  who  were  then  present,  and  caused  the  same  to 
be  writ  down  from  his  mouth,  that  may  shew  how  lonely 
he  also  was  in  bis  death,  and  how  well  that  did  correspond 
with  his  former  life.  Some  of  his  words  are  these  ;  "  I 
shall  shine,  1  shall  see  him  as  he  is,  and  all  the  fair  com- 
pany with  him,  and  shall  have  my  large  share  ;  it  is  no 
easy  thing  to  be  a  christian,  but  as  for  me  I  have  got  the 
victory,  and  Christ  is  holding  forth  his  arms  to  embrace 
me.  I  have  had  my  fears,  and  faintings,  as  another  sinful 
man,  to  be  carried  through  creditably,  but  as  sure  as  ever 
he  spake  to  me  in  his  word,  his  Spirit  witnessed  to  my 
heart,  saying,  Fear  not,  he  had  accepted  my  suffering,  and 
the  out  gate  should  not  be  matter  of  prayer,  but  ofpraise.'V 
He  said  also,  "  Thy  word  was  found,  and  I  did  rat  it,  and 
it  was  to  me  the  joy  and  rejoicing  of  my  heart."  And  a 
little  before  his  death,  after  some  fainting,  he  saith,  "  Now 
I  feel,  I  believe,  1  enjoy,  I  rejoice  !"  and  turning  to  Mr. 
B'air,  then  present,  he  said,  "  I  feed  on  manna,  I  have  an- 
gels' food  ;  my  eyes  shall  see  my  Redeemer,  I  know  that 
he  shall  stand  at  the  latter  day  on  the  earth,  and  I  shall  be 
caught  up  in  the  clouds  to  meet  him  in  the  air."  And  af- 
terwards hath  these  words,  "  I  sleep  in  Christ,  and  when  I 
awake,  I  shall  be  satisfied  with  his  likeness.  O  for  arms 
to  embrace  him  !"  and  to  one  speaking  about  his  painful- 
ness  in  the  ministry  ;  he  crieth  out,  "  I  disclaim  all ;  the 
port  I  would  be  in  at,  is  redemption  and  forgiveness  of  sins 
through  his  blood."  And  thus  full  of  the  Spirit,  yea,  as  it 
were,  overcome  with  sensible  enjoyment,  he  breathes  out 
his  soul.  His  last  words  being,  "  Glory,  glory,  dwelleth  in 
Emmanuel's  land  !" 

Sixth  witness  is,  That  convincing  appearance  of  an  ex- 
traordinary and  apostolic  spirit  on  some  of  these  instruments, 
whom  the  Lord  raised  up  in  these  last  times,  and  those  great 
endowments  wherewith  they  were  sent  forth  for  the  service 
of  the  church,  and  the  overthrow  of  the  kingdom  of  ami- 
christ :  a  truth,  which,  we  must  say,  if  not  in  such  meas- 
ure, yet  hath  been  no  less  evident,  than  in  those  primitive 
times,  when  the  christian  church  was  planted. 

It  is  clear,  that  extraordinary  gifts  and  endowments  have 
been  given  forth,  to  the  church  under  the  New  Testa- 
ment, for  which  the  first  dawning  of  the  gospel  there  were 
both  apostles,  and  prophets  raised  up.  ^  It  cannot  be  also 
flenied,  that  since  the  canon  of  the  scripture  was  closed, 
yen,  in  these  lateagts,  there  have  been  very  extraordinary 
men  given  to  the  church,  who  had  special  revelations  from 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  307 

the  Lord,  of  his  mind  about  things  to  come;  which 
though  we  should  not  now  look  for,  yet  wherein  did  the 
Lord  remarkably  condescend,  when  some  great  piece  of 
service,  and  necessity  of  the  church  did  more  call  for  it 
And  truly  these  were  led  in  no  other  path  than  that  of  the 
word  ;  though  they  had  a  more  special  discovery  and  im- 
mediate inbreathing  of  God's  mind,  as  to  the  application 
thereof  in  particular  cases  ;  neither  did  they  press  upon 
men's  conscience,  to  credit  the  same,  but  were  most  cau- 
tious, witnessing  much  humble  sobriety  on  that  account. 

It  is  known  what  extraordinary  instruments,  how  won- 
derfully called  and  qualified,  Luther,  Zuinglius,  Calvin, 
Wishart,  and  Knox  were,  whom  God  sent  in  these  latter 
days  to  grapple  with  antichrist,  and  sound  a  retreat  to  his 
church  from  Babylon  :  likewise  Melanchton,  Beza,  Bucer, 
and  Martyr,  with  divers  in  England,  such  as  Latimer, 
Ridley,  Bradford,  &c.  who  indeed  were  burning  and  shin- 
ing lights  in  their  time,  mighty  in  the  scripture,  fervent  in 
spirit,  were  clothed  with  the  power  and  authority  of  God, 
before  which  the  world  could  not  stand.  But  besides  these 
famous  witnesses,  of  whose  life  we  have  something  this 
day  on  public  record,  I  must  here  crave  liberty  to  set  down 
a  k\v  more,  more  late  instances  of  our  own  church  in  Scot- 
land, to  confirm  this  truth  ;  such  as  are  but  little  known  to 
the  world,  nor  any  thing  of  their  lives  published,  which  I 
think  a  great  loss  to  after  generations  ;  who,  we  may  say 
(and  this  with  a  warrant  and  in  sobriety)  were  men  truly 
extraordinary,  eminently  serviceable  in  the  work  of  the 
Lord,  yea,  of  a  prophetic  and  apostolic  spirit,  and  such 
who  through  grace  did  not  even  come  short  of  the  first 
three  ;  I  mean  not  only  those  before  mentioned,  but  also 
some  of  those  great  lights,  who  were  in  the  first  age  of  the 
church  after  the  asc msion  of  Christ. 

I.  I  shall  instance  Mr.  John  Welsh,  whom  the  Lord 
called  forth  to  the  ministry  at  Kircubrighl,  in  Galloway, 
and  afterwards  was  transported  to  the  church  of  Aire,  whom 
Mr.  Rutherford  in  one  of  his  books  called  that  heavenly 
prophetical  and  apostolic  pan  of  God,  and  sheweth  thai 
from  the  witnesses  of  his  life,  he  ha£J  this  account,  that 
of  every  twenty  four  hours  he  gave  usually  eight  to  prayer, 
if  other  necessary  and  urgent  duties  did  not  hinder;  yea, 
spent  many  days  and  nights  which  he  set  apart,  in  fasting 
and  prayer  for  the  condition  of  the  church,  and  the  suffer- 
ings of  the  reformed  churches  abroad.  I  can  also  add  this, 
from  very  sure  information  (and  truly  about  any  of  these 
particulars,  I  seriously  study  to  have  satisfying  grounds  of 
the  certainty  thereof)  that  it  was  his  usage  even  in  the  cold- 


308  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

est  winter  nights,  to  rise  for  prayer  ;  and  oft  times  his 
wife,  who  was  an  excellent  woman,  hath  risen  to  seek  af- 
ter him,  where  he  hath  been  found  lying  on  the  ground 
weeping  and  wrestling  with  the  Lord  ;  yea,  sometimes  he 
would  have  been  much  of  the  night  alone  in  the  church  of 
Aire  on  that  account.  One  time  especially  Ins  wife  find- 
ing him  overcharged  with  grief,  he  told  her,  he  had  that  to 
press  him,  which  she  had  not,  the  souls  o/3000  to  answer 
for,  whilst  he  knew  not  how  it  was  with  many  of  them. 

And  another  time  whilst  she  found  him  alone,  his  spirit 
almost  overcharged  with  anguish  and  grief,  upon  her  seri- 
ous inquiry,  said,  that  the  times  which  were  to  come  on 
Scotland,  were  heavy  and  sad,  though  she'  should  not  see 
them  ;  and  this  for  the  contempt  of  the  gospel. 

Whilst  lie  was  prisoner  in  the  Blackness,  in  a  letter  to  a 
christian  lady,  he  giveth  this  account,  What  large  joy  he 
had,  to  suffer  for  such  a  truth,  that  Jesus  Christ  was  a 
King,  and  had  a  visible  kingdom  in  the  world,  even  his 
church,  which  was  as  free  to  keep  its  courts,  and  exercise 
discipline  by  virtue  of  an  intrinsic  power  from  Christ,  as 
any  kingdom  on  the  earth,  for  which  he  was  ready  to  lay 
down  his  life,  yea,  would  rejoice  to  be  offered  up  a  sacrifice 
on  so  glorious  a  truth.  In  the  close  of  that  letter,  he  doth 
also  forewarn,  that  judgment  was  coming  to  Scotland,  which 
should  be  blood,  first  by  an  intestine  sword,  and  then  by  the 
sword  of  a  strati  ger ,  and  that  a  great  sacrifice  should  be  there , 
both  of  great  men  and  mean.  ^  The  fulfilling  whereof  hath 
since  been  very  sensible,  and  is  known  by  many  alive,  who 
had  that  letter  long  before  the  late  troubles  begun.  Whilst 
he  was  thus  prisoner,  several  remarkable  passages  I  have 
had  confirmed  by  divers  worthy  of  credit,  some  of  whom 
shewed  me  they  had  them  from  those  who  were  most 
familiar  with  the  persons  theniselves  ;  they  are  indeed 
strange,  but  we  must  also  consider  he  was  an  extraordina- 
ry man. 

The  first  was  this,  that  one  night  whilst  he  did  expound 
the  scripture  after  his  supper,  in  the  prison  (as  his  custom 
was)  whilst  he  with  much  power  and  authority  was  press- 
ing home  the  truth,  one  of  the  company,  who  had  some 
charge  in  the  castle,  fell  a  jeering  ;  which  Mr.  Welsh  ob- 
serving, and  looking  earnestly  to  him,  did  presently  close 
the  bible,  and  cease,  and  a  little  after  having  a  drink  in  his 
hand,  he  saith  to  a  friend  at  the  table  before  all  that  were 
present,  There  is  one  so  profane  and  gross,  as  to  contemn 
and  mock  at  the  word  of  the  Lord,  but  ere  a  little,  God  shall 
smite  him  with  a  remarkable  stroke  of  his  judgment.  Which 
accordingly  fell  out,  to  the  astonishment  of  the  company  ; 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  309 

for  that  man  did  presently  drop  down  to  the  ground,  and 
died.  A  lady  that  was  then  popish,  being  present  by  rea- 
son of  a  friend  of  her's  that  was  prisoner  in  the  castle,  was 
so  moved  therewith  that  it  proved  an  help  to  her  after  con- 
version. 

The  other  passage  is  this,  one  John  Steward,  an  emi- 
nent christian,  who  lived  at  Aire,  having  come  to  visit  Mr. 
Welsh  in  prison,  found  him  in  a  more  than  ordinary  way 
troubled  and  sad,  and  upon  his  inquiry  thereabout,  he 
saith,  "  John,  ye  should  not  be  here,  go  home  to  Aire,  for 
the  plague  cf  Gob  is  broken  out  in  that  place,  and  cause 
Hugh  Kennedy ,  provost  of  that  town,  (who  was  also  a  very 
singular  christian)  to  convene  the  people  to  the  streets,  and 
pray  together ;  and  the  Lord  shall  hear  Hugh  Kennedy, 
and  remove  that  stroke."  This  at  the  first  did  something 
astonish  the  said  John,  and  put  him  to  question  its  truth, 
having  so  lately  come  out  of  that  place  :  but  at  his  return 
found  it  so.  and  accordingly  in  every  tiling  it  fell  out  as  the 
man  of  God  had  shewed. 

After  his  banishment,  to  which  the  king  did  change  the 
sentence  of  death  passed  upon  him  at  Linlithgow,  he  in  a 
very  short  time  acquired  the  French  tongue,  with  such  a 
facility  therein,  as  was  thought  strange  by  those  who  knew 
it.  Trochrig,  in  his  commentary  on  the  Ephesians,  sets 
down  this  passage,  how  being'called  to  preach  at  Sahnurs 
a  famous  university,  yea,  one  of  the  most  learned  auditories 
in  France,  he  did  with  such  boldness  and  authority  preach, 
as  though  he  had  been  before  the  meanest  congregation  : 
whereat  Trcchrig  being  astonished,  could  not  but  on  his 
acquaintance  with  him  question  him  thereabout,  whence 
he  had  such  confidence,  and  was  so  little  moved,  whilst  he 
preached  before  strangers,  so  grave  and  judicious  an  audi- 
tory, and  in  a  strange  tongue  ?  To  whom  in  a  humble  way, 
as  one  more  dejected,  than  lifted  up,  he  gave  that  answer. 
When  he  considered  his  being  before  the  Lord,  and  that 
he  was  delivering  his  message,  he  could  not  regard  either 
great  or  small,  but  all  flesh  did  then  go  out  of  his  mind. 

Whilst  he  was  minister  at  St.  Jane  de  Angeli,  a  protest- 
ant  town  in  France,  where  his  ministry  was  much  blessed 
with  success,  the  civil  wars  did  break  put,  where  that  city 
was  twice  besieged  on  the  protestant  interest ;  during  which 
time  these  passages  fell  out  most  remarkable  :  one  was, 
the  town  being  sore  straited,  and  ready  to  be  taken,  the 
enemies  having  raised  a  battery,  and  by  a  close  approach 
had  made  a  great  breach  in  the  wall,  Air.  Welsh  hearing 
thereof  (who  had  much  encouraged  the  people,  that  their 
adversaries  should  not  then  prevail)  went  himself  with  the 


310  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

cannoneer  up  the  walls,  and  desired  lie  would  charge  such  a 
piece  of  cannon,  and  shoot,  for  God  should  direct  thit  shot% 
and  cause  to  prosper  ;  which  accordingly  did,  to  the  aston- 
ishment of  lookers  on,  dismount  that  battery,  and  the  Lord 
so  ordered  things  after,  that  the  king  did  parly  on  favour- 
ble  terms  with  the  city,  and  did  only  himself  with  his  court 
come  in  without  doing  any  violence.  Another  marvel- 
lous passage  was  this ;  the  following  sabbath  some  of  the 
godly  in  that  place,  Searing  Mr.  Welsh's  hazard,  did  seri- 
ously deal  with  him,  that  he  would  forbear  to  go  foi  th,  and 
preach,  the  court  being  there  ;  from  which  he  by  no  en- 
treaty would  be  hindered,  but  shewed  them  he  would  ad- 
venture to  preach  the  word  to  his  people,  and  trust  the 
Lord  with  what  concerned  himself,  being  more  grieved  at 
their  fear  and  despondence  :  and  that  day  had  a  very  great 
auditory,  both  of  friends,  and  others  who  came  upon  the 
fame  of  such  a  man  ;  but  in  time  of  sermon,  a  great  man  of 
the  court,  with  some  of  the  king's  own  guard  was  sent  to 
bring  him  forthwith  before  the  king,  and  whilst  he  was  en- 
tering the  church,  which  had  some  difficulty  by  reason  of 
the  multitude,  Mr.  Welsh  did  turn  himself  toward  that  en- 
try, and  desired  the  people  to  give  way  to  one  of  the  great 
peers  of  France,  that  was  coming  in  ;  but  after,  whilst  he 
was  coming  near  the  pulpit,  to  execute  his  commission, 
by  putting  force  on  the  servant  of  Christ,  for  his  desisting, 
he  did  with  great  authority  speak  to  him  before  all  the  peo- 
ple, and  in  the  name  of  his  Master  Jesus  Christ  charged 
him  that  he  would  not  disturb  the  worship  of  God  ;  where- 
with that  man  was  so  affrighted,  that  he  fell  a  shaking,  yea, 
was  forced  to  crouch  down,  and  make  no  further  trouble. 
A  third  passage  no  less  remarkable  was  upon  the  close  of 
the  sermon,  whilst  Mr.  Welsh  with  much  submission  went 
to  the  king,  who  was  then  greatly  incensed,  and  with  a 
threatening  countenance  asked,  What  he  was,  and  how  he 
durst  preach  heresy  so  near  his  person,  and  with  such  con- 
tumacy carry  himself?  To  which,  with  due  reverence 
bowing  himself,  he  did  answer.  /  am,  Sir,  the  servant 
and  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  whose  truth  I  preached  this 
day,  which  if  your  majesty  rightly  knew,  ye  would  hare 
judged  it  your  duty  to  have  come  yourself,  and  heard:  and 
for  my  doctrine  I  did  this  day  preach  these  three  truths  to 
your  people.  (1.)  That  man  is  fallen  and  by  nature  in  a 
lost  condition,  yea,  by  his  own  power  and  abilities  is  not 
able  to  help  himself  from  that  estate.  (2.)  That  there  is 
no  salvation  or  deliverance  from  wrath  by  our  own  merits, 
but  by  Jesus  Christ  and  his  merit  alone.  (3.)  I  did  also 
preach  this  day  the  just  liberties  of  the  kingdom  of  France, 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  311 

that  your  majesty  owetb  obedience  to  Christ  only,  who  is 
head of  the  church;  and  that  the  pope,  as  he  is  an  enemy 
to  Christ,  and  his  truth,  so  also  to  the  kings  of  the  earth, 
whom  he  keepeth  under  slavery  to  his  usurped  power. 
Whereat  the  king  for  a  time  keeping  silence,  with  great  as- 
tonishment, turned  to  some  about  him,  and  said,  Surely 
this  is  a  man  of  God  I  Yea,  after  did  commune  with  him, 
and  with  great  respect  dismissed  him.     The  year  follow- 
ing, whilst  the  differences  betwixt  the  king  and  protestant 
party  did  grow,  that  city  was  again  besieged,  taken,  and  in 
part  sacked,  as  Mr.  V/elsh  did  publicly  foretell  :  at  which 
time  it  is  known,  how  the  king  passed  a  solemn  order,  that 
none  should  in  the  least  wrong  Mr.  Welsh,  or  any  thing 
that  belonged  to  him,  under  highest  pains,   and  did  after 
give  a  safe  conduct  to  him,  for  transporting  himself  to  Eng- 
land ^  where  he  died ;  king  James  refusing  his  return  to 
his  own  country,  though  earnestly  petitioned  by  his  wife, 
for  her  husband's  health. 

During  his  sickness,  he  was  so  filled  and  overcome  with 
the  sensible  enjoyment  of  God,  that  he  was  sometime 
overheard  in  prayer,  to  have  these  words,  Lord,  hold  thy 
hand,  it  is  enough  /  thy  servant  is  a  clay  vessel,  andean  hold 
no  more  ! 

II.  I  shall  also  here  instance  Mr.  Robert  Bruce,  who  in  a 
very  extraordinary  way  was  called  to  the  ministry,  having 
for  a  long  time  followed  the  study  of  the  law,  both  in  this 
country  and  in  France,  yea,  had  some  ground  to  expect  a 
place  amongst  the  lords  of  the  session,  his  father  being  then 
a  considerable  baron,  who  had  many  friends  :  but  a  more 
pressing  and  irresistible  call  from  God  did  otherwise  de- 
termine. 

Whilst  he  was  in  the  ministry  at  Edinburgh,  he  shined 
as  a  great  light  through  the  whole  land  :  the  power  and  ef- 
ficacy of  the  Spirit  most  sensibly  accompanying  the  word 
he  preached,  he  was  a  terror  to  evil  doers  :  and  the  author- 
ity of  God  did  so  appear  upon  him  and  his  carriage,  with 
such  a  majesty  in  his  countenance,  as  forced  fear  and  re- 
spect from  the  greatest  in  theland,  even  those  who  were 
most  avowed  haters  of  godliness  ;  yea,  it  was  known, 
what  an  awful  impression  king  James  had  of  him,  and  did 
once  give  him  that  testimony  before  many,  that  he  judged 
Mr.  Bruce  was  worthy  of  the  half  of  his  kingdom. 

He  was  a  man  that  had  much  inward  exercise  about  his 
own  personal  case  ;  had  been  oft  assaulted  about  that  great 
foundation  of  truth,  if  there  was  a  God  ;  which  cost  him 
many  days  and  nights  wrestling,  and  when  he  hath  come 
up  to  the  pulpit,  after  being  sometime  silent,  which  was 


312  The  Fulfilling  of  the  'StripUti  c. 

his  usual  way,  he  would  say,  I  think  it  is  a  great  matter  it? 
believe  there  is  a  God;  telling  the  people,  it  was  another 
thing  to  believe  that,  than  they  judged.  But  it  was  also 
known,  by  his  friends  with  whom  tie  was  familiar,  what 
extraordinary  confirmations  he  had  from  the  Lord  therein, 
what  nt^ar  familiarity  he  did  attain  in  his  secret  converse 
with  God  :  yea,  truly  some  things,  I  have  had  from  per- 
sons worthy  of  credit  thereabout,  would  seem  so  strange 
and  marvellous,  that  I  forbear  to  set  them  down. 

The  great  success  of  his  ministry  at  Edinburgh,  Inver- 
ness, and  other  places,  whither  providence  called  him,  is 
abundantly  known.  Whilst  he  was  confined  at  Inverness, 
that  poor  dark  country  was  marvellously  enlightened, 
many  brought  in  to  Christ  by  his  ministry,  and  a  seed 
sown  in  these  places,  which  even  to  this  day  is  not  wholly 
worn  out.  I  shall  here  set  down  one  passage  of  famous 
Mr.  Henderson,  who  at  his  first  entry  to  the  ministry  at 
Lcuchars,  was  very  prelatic,  and  by  the  bishop  of  St.  An- 
drews, brought  in  against  the  parish's  consent,  so  that  on 
the  day  of  his  admission,  the  church  doors  being  shut  by 
the  people,  they  were  forced  to  break  in  by  a  window  to 
get  him  entrance.  But  a  little  after  this,  upon  the  report  of 
a  communion,  where  Mr.  Bruce  was  to  help,  he  would 
needs  from  a  longing  he  had  to  hear  and  see  such  a  man, 
go  secretly  there  ;  and  placed  himself  in  a  dark  part  of  the 
church,  where  he  might  not  be  known  :  when  Mr.  Bruce 
was  come  to  the  pulpit,  he  did  for  a  considerable  time  keep 
silence,  as  his  manner  was,  which  did  some  way  astonish 
Mr.  Henderson,  but  much  more  when  he  heard  the  first 
words  wherewith  he  began,  which  were  these,  He  that 
cimeth  not  in  by  the  door,  but  climbeth  up  another  way,  the 
same  is  a  thief  and  a  robber.  Which  did  by  the  Lord's 
blessing  at  the  very  present  take  him  by  the  heart,  and  had 
so  great  an  impression  on  him,  that  it  was  the  first  means 
of  his  conversion. 

He  was  one  that  had  the  spirit  of  discerning  in  a  great 
measure,  did  prophetically  speak  of  many  things  which  af- 
terwards came  to  pass  ;  yea,  which  I  had  attested  by  sober 
and  grave  christians,  who  were  familiar  with  him,  that  di- 
vers persons  distracted,  and  of  those  who  were  passed  all 
hope  of  recovery  in  the  falling  sickness^  were  brought  to 
Mr.  Bruce,  and  after  prayer  by  him  in  their  behalf  were 
fully  recovered.  This  indeed  may  seem  strange,  but  it  is 
also  true  ;  Mr.  Bruce  was  a  great  wrestler,  who  had  more 
than  ordinary  familiarity  with  his  Master. 

A  little  before  his  death,  when  he  was  at  Edinburghi 
and  through  weakness  kept  his  chamber,  there  was  a  meet* 


the  Futfifong  °f  the  Scripture. 

irig  of  divers  godly  ministers  at  that  time  there,  on  some 
special  ground  of  the  church's  concernment,  who  hearing 
he  was  in  the  town,  came  together,  and  gave  him  an  ac- 
count of  the  actings  of  those  times,  the  prelates  then  design- 
ing the  service  book  :  after  which  Mr.  Bruce  prayed,  and 
did  therein  tell  over  again  to  the  Lord  the  very  substance 
of  their  discourse,  which  was  a  sad  representation  of  the 
case  of  the  church,  at  which  time  there  was  such  an  extra- 
ordinary faotion  on  all  present  so  sensible  n  clow  npo  tiring  of 
the  Spirit,  that  theij  could  hardly  contain  the 'msehes  ;  yea, 
which  was  most  strange,  even  some  unusual  motioh  on 
these  who  were  in  other  parts  of  the  house,  not  knowing 
the  cause  at  that  very  instant,  One  Mr.  Wee?ncs,  of  Lv- 
thaker,  being  then  occasionally  present,  when  he  went 
away,  said,  0  how  strange  a  mar:  is  this  !  for  be  knocked 
down  the  Spirit  of  God  on  us  all.  This  he  said  because 
Mr.  Bruce  did  divers  times  knock  with  his  fingers  on  the 
table.  I  had  this  from  a  Worthy  christian  gentleman,  in 
whose  mother's  house  this  was. 

He  was  deeply  affected  with  the  naughtiness  and  profan- 
ity of  many  ministers  then  in  the  church,  and  the  unsuita- 
ble carriage  of  others  to  so  great  a  calling  ;  and  did  express 
much  his  foaf ,  that  the  ministry  of  Scotland  would  prove 
the  greatest  persecutors  of  the  gospel  that  it  had.  If  there 
were  a  full  collection  of  those  remarkable  passages,  which 
have  been  known  to  others  in  his  life,  it  would  further  wit- 
ness what  an  extraordinary  man  that  was.  I  shall  only 
shut  this  up  with  learned  Didoclavius'  testimony,  in  his 
preface  to  his  Altdre  Damascenum  :  Robertus  Brusius, 
Vir  generc  et  virtute  nobilis,  majestate^  vultus  tener abilisy 
quiplura  animarum  miliia  Chfisto  lucrifecit";  Ciifus  animat 
n  ullius  mortalium  (absit  verbo  invidiaj  secltt  in  ecelesti- 
but :  anima  mea,  cum  anima  tua,  Brusi,  si  ex  alienci'  fide 
esset  pendendum. 

III.  Mr.  Davidson,  minister  of  the  gospel  at  Salt  Pres- 
toun,  may  be  truly  here  instanced  as  one  of  an  extraordina- 
ry ,  prophetic  spirit,  who  was  likewise  eminently  zealous 
and  faithful  for  his  Master  in  a  time  of  the  church's  defec- 
tion ;  as  Didoclavius  in  that  forementioned  pfeface  terms 
him,  Cato  et  constant  Cato  sui  temporis.  He  did  then  fore- 
See  prelacies  breaking  in  upon  the  church,  when  king 
James  was  pressing  the  setting  wp  of  superintendents  wwdev 
a  very  specious  pretext,  and  was  for  that  ent\  him svl? pres- 
ent at  the  assembly  in  Dundee,  having  engaged  many,  alas  } 
too  many,  to  consent  thereto  ;  but  Mr.  Davidson  with  great 
boldness  rose  up,  and  warned  the  assembly  of  the  hazard, 
and  told  them  he  saw  the  knave  bkhop]  with  his  mitre., 


314  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

coming  in  under  that  mask,  yea,  did  solemnly  in  his  own 
name,  and  name  of  the  church  of  Scotland,  enter  a  protes- 
tation against  that  step  of  defection,  and  their  yielding  up 
in  so  far  the  liberties  of  the  church,  to  please  men. 

Whilst  he  was  minister  at  Salt  Prestoun,  the  building 
of  a  church  was  by  him  much  endeavoured,  which  he  did 
advance  much  out  of  his  own  private  interest ;  my  lord 
Newbatle,  who  then  had  a  great  interest  in  the  parish,  en- 
gaging to  help  it  forward  :  from  which  he  after  resiled,  and 
thereby  frustrated  the  work.  Whereupon  Mr.  Davidson 
told  him,  these  walls  that  were  then  begun  to  be  builded, 
should  stand  as  a  witness  against  him,  and  that  ere  long 
God  should  root  him  and  his  estate  out  of  that  parish, 
and  he  should  not  have  a  piece  of  land  in  the  same  !  which 
•shortly  after  had  a  visible  accomplishment.  It  was  very 
clear  from  many  passages  of  his  life,  that  the  secret  of  the 
Lord  was  in  an  extraordinary  way  with  him.  Some  of 
those  which  have  been  transmitted  from  them  who  particu- 
larly knew  the  same,  are  indeed  most  worthy  of  a  remark. 

At  a  certain  assembly  of  the  church,  Mr.  John  Spots- 
"Wood,  and  Mr.  fames  Law,  who  were  then  entered  into 
the  ministry,  were  processed  for  some  gross  acts  of  profan- 
ity :  where  Mr.  Davidson  finding  the  assembly  too  easy  to 
pass  the  same,  in  regard  of  their  parts  and  gifts,  only  with  a 
rebuke,  he  did  with  much  vehemency  press  their  deposi- 
tion ;  and  after  being  crossed  therein,  said,  Tou  will  needs 
spare  these  two  men,  whereat  I  am  grieved,  but  the  time  is 
coming  when  they  shall  trample  upon  your  necks  and  upon 
the  church  #f  Scotland.  And  it  is  well  known  w  hat  an  ac- 
complishment this  prediction  had. 

Being  with  Mr.  Bruce  one  time  at  dinner,  who  was  then 
in  great-favour  with  the  king,  he  had  these  words  in  giving 
thanks  after  meat.  Lord,  thy  servant  here  is  now  a  great 
favourite  of  the  court,  and  in  much  respect :  but  he  shall  be 
whhin  a  little  as  much  persecuted  as  he  is  now  in  favour,  and 
go  down  the  street 's,  when  many  who  have  him  this  day  in 
esteem  will  not  give  him  a  salutation.  Which  was  very 
manifest  afterwards.  And  at  another  time,  whilst  Mr. 
Robert  Bruce  and  he  were  dining  together  in  the  house  of 
one  of  the  magistrates  of  the  town,  who  was  then  a  cordial 
friend  to  godly  ministers,  he  did  also  in  his  plain  and  free 
way  break  forth  with  these  words,  whilst  he  was  giving 
thanks,  Lord,  this  good  man  hath  respect  for  thy  sake  to 
thy  servants,  but  be  little  knovocth  that  in  a  short  time  he 
must  carry  us  both,  who  are  here  to  prison.  Which  words 
did  much  trouble  that  honest  man,  though  afterwards  it 
came  most  exactly  to  pass. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  315 

There  is  one  more  remarkable  passage,  which  I  should 
fear  to  set  down,  it  is  so  strange,  but  that  I  had  the  same 
confirmed  by  some  worthy  of  credit,  who  shewed  me,  that 
from  those  that  were  present,  and  familiar  with  Mr.  Da- 
vidson, they  had  it  related.  A  gentleman  nearly  related  to 
a  great  family  of  that  parish,  but  a  most  violent  hater  of  pi- 
ety, did  upon  that  account  beat  a  poor  honest  man  who  liv- 
ed there,  having  not  the  least  shadow  of  a  pro\'ocation,  and 
among  other  sore  strokes  gave  one  upon  the  back  with 
these  words,  Take  this  for  Mr.  Davidson's  sake.  After 
which  the  honest  man  was  for  a  time  forced  to  keep  his 
bed,  and  complained  most  of  that  stroke,  which  he  gave 
him  on  the  back,  as  that  which  he  felt  more  than  all  the 
rest  :  but  the  sabbath  following,  Mr.  Davidson  speaking 
in  the  close  of  his  sermon  about  the  oppression  of  the  god- 
ly, and  enmity  which  wicked  men  had  to  such,  did  very 
particularly  touch  that  late  instance,  saying,  //  was  a  sad 
time,  a  profane  man  would  thus  epenly  adventure  to  vent 
bis  rage  against  those  who  were  seekers  of  God  in  the  place*, 
whilst  he  could  have  no  cause  but  the  very  appearance  of  his 
image :  and  with  great  authority  said,  He  who  hath  done 
this,  were  he  the  laird,  or  the  laird's  brother,  ere  a  few  days 
pass,  God  shall  give  him  a  stroke,  that  all  the  monarchs  of 
the  earth  dare  not  challenge.  Which  was  then  publickly 
known  how  in  the  close  of  that  week,  standing  before  his 
door,  he  was  struck  dead  with  a  thunder  Mt3  and  all  his 
bones  crushed. 

A  little  before  the  death  of  this  great  servant  of  Christ, 
having  an  occasional  rencounter  with  Mr.  John  Ker,  a  young 
gentleman  who  lately  came  from  France,  and  had  then  no 
thoughts  of  the  ministry,  but  was  in  a  very  courtly  dress. 
Mr.  Davidson  did  in  a  solemn  way  charge  him  to  cast  eff 
his  scarlet  cloak,  and  lay  aside  his  gilded  rapier,  and  take 
him  to  his  book,  For  you  are  the  man,  says  he,  who  is  to 
succeed  me  in  the  ministry  at  this  place.  Which,  so  very 
astonishing  to  that  gentleman  for  the  present,  yet  according- 
ly fell  out,  he  did  immediately  succeed  him  there,  where 
he  was  for  many  years  an  holy  and  faithful  minister  of  the 
gospel.  This  last  passage  many  yet  alive,  who  had  the 
same  from  the  said  Mr*.  John  Ker,  can  witness. 

IV.  Mr.  Patrick  Simpson,  who  was  once  minister  of 
Cramond,  and  after  transported  to  Stirling,  may  be  here 
also  instanced,  as  a  very  extraordinary  man  in  the  church. 
In  his  youth  he  attained  to  great  knowledge  in  the  languag- 
es, did  much  study  Greek  and  Latin  authors  ;  and  gave 
this  reason  to  such  who  wondered  he  should  spend  so 
much  time  in  reading  those  who  were  but  pagans,  That  he 


?  16  The  Fulfilling-  of  the  Scripture. 

purposed  to  dedicate  all  these  jewels  which  he  borrowed 
From  the  E?ijptians,  to  the  building  of  the  house  of  the 
Lord.  It  fs  known,  with  what  geal  he  did  oppose  himself 
to  the  corruptions  of  that  time.  In  the  year  1584,  whilst 
there  was  an  express  charge  from  the  king,  for  acknowl- 
edging Mr.  Patrick  Adamspn  archbishop  of  $t.  Andrews, 
or  else  lose  their  maintenance,  he  did  with  great  vehemency 
appear  against  the  same,  though  that  man  was  his  uncle  up- 
on the  mother's  side:  and  some  who  seemed  willing  to 
crJSb  thereto  with  such  a  condition,  according  to  t/ic 
Word  of  God,  he  did  gravely  rebuke,  shewing  them  it 
could  be  no  salvo  to  their  conscience,  since  it  was  repugn 

fmtiain  adjecto,  to  subscribe  to  arty  human  institution  ac? 
rding  to  the  word,  when  the  word  did  expressly  condemn 
e  same,  it  was  also  known,  he  refused  the  offer  of  a 
hisboprick,  and  afterwards  of  a  yearly  pension  from  the 
.king,  which  he  looked  on  as  a  design  only  to  bribe  his.  coa^ 
science,  which  was  more  dear  to  him  than  all  the  world. 
And  when  that  assembly  at  Aberdeen  was  condemned  by 
the  state,  he  did  openly  own  and  avow  the  same,  and  in  a. 
very  solemn  manner  denounced  the  wrath  and  judgment  of 
God  against  these  accusers  and  eonvicters.  of  those  excel- 
lent men,  at  Lwlitbgoiv,  who  stood  for  the  liberty  of  that 
assembly.  That  notable  paper  and  protestation,  given  in 
to  the  parliament  1606,  (where  prelacy  was  further  estab- 
lished) was  by  him  penned,  and  out  of  his  own  hand  given, 
to  the  earl  of  Dumbar,  subscribed  by  many  ministers  of 
the  church,  who  w;ere  then  there  on  that  account. 

His  life,  was  most  exemplary  for  piety,  and  faithfulness,  in, 
serving  his  Master  ;  which  did  preach  no  less  to  that  part  of 
the  country  wherein  he  lived,  than  his  doctrine.  One  ve- 
-ry  remarkable  passage  of  Iris  life  I  do  here  adventure  to. set 
down,  having  very  satisfying  grounds  as  to  the  certainty  of 
it,  from  those  who  knew  the  same,  and  had^a  particular  re- 
lation of  all  its  circumstances  from  a  grave  christian,  who 
liad  it  out  of  his  own  mouth,  and  likewise  hath  it  written 
under  old  Mr.  Roiv^s  hand,  of  Car  nock,  who  was  his  famil- 
iar intimate  friend  ;  it  is  this.  His  wife,  Martha  Barron, 
a  gracious  woman,  the  wife  of  his  youth,  wfth  whom  he 
had  lived  in  great  love,  fell  sick,  whick  proved  her  last  sick- 
ness :  when  she  was  first  sore  assaulted  by  the  devil,  who 
pressed  in  upon  her  that  she  should  be  given  over  to  his 
hand  ;  and  after,  it  did  resolve  in  a  visible  distraction, 
which  for  a  time  grew  upon  her,  so  that  most  unlike  to  hen 
former  wav,  she  would  have  broke  forth  with  dreadful  and 
horrid  expressions  ;  it  did  most  appear  on  a  sabbath  morn-, 
ing,  whilst  Mr.  Simpson  was  going  to  preach,  and  whilst 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture  317 

for  a  time  he  was  forced  with  a  heavy  countenance  to  stand 
silent,  he  at  last  kneeled  down,  and  prayed,  which  she  did 
no  ways  regard,  but  a  little  after  he  turning  to  the  compa- 
ny that  were  present,  told  them,  he  was  sure  that  those  wb& 
now  were  witnesses  of  that  sad  hour,  should  yet  see  a  gra- 
cious work  of  Gad  on  this  his  servant,  and  that  the •devil's 
malice  against  thai [poor  woman,  s/jould  have  a  shameful 
foil.  Her  distraction  did  still  continue  until  the  Tuesday, 
which  was  the  9ih  of  August,  which  morning  at  the  very 
dawning  of  it,  he  goeth  to  his  garden,  and  shut  the  door  be. 
hind  him,  where  for  many  hours  he  was  alone,  but  a  godly 
woman  who  that  night  was  with  his  wife,  Helen  Garner, 
wife  to  one  of  the  Bailyes  of  Stirling,  being  apprehensive 
of  his  hazard,  through  his  grief  and  fasting,  could  have  no 
rest  till  she  knew  his,  case,  and  by  some  help  climbed  up, 
2nd  got  into  the  garden ;  but  on  a  near  approach  to  that 
place  where  Mr.  Simpson  then  was,  she  was  terrified  with 
an  extraordinary  noise,  which  through  fear  made  her  fail  to 
the  ground  :  It  seemed,  as.  she  related  after  to  ethers,  it 
was  like  the  noise  of  a  great  rushing  af  multitudes  together, 
and  therewith  such  a  melodious  sound,  as  did  make  her 
know,  it  was  something  mare  than  human,  and  turned  19 
prayer,  entreating  the  Lord  would  pardon  her  rashness* 
which  affection  to  his  servant,  who  had  been  the  instrument 
of  her  good,  had  carried  her  to.  And  after,  gokig  fot»vraat!:, 
finds  him  lying  upon  the  ground  ;  it  was  with  much  en- 
troeaty^  that  he  dki  then  reveal  himself  in  that  particular, 
until  she  promised  secrecy,  not  to  speak  it  to  others  so fowg 
as  he  lived,  but  had  his  allowance,  if  she  should  survive 
him  :  which  promise  she  kept,  but  after  his.  death,  did  re- 
late it  to  those  from  whom  I  have  had  this:  he  said,  O 
what  am.  I,  being  dust  and  ashes,  that  the  holy  ministering 
spirits  should  be  sent  by  the  Lord  to  deliver  a-  message  to 
me  !  and  shewed  he  had  a  vision  of  angels,  who  did  with 
an  audible  voice  give  him  an  answer  from  the  Lord,  of  his 
wife's  cone1  ition  ;  and  coming  over  to  his  house,  he  said  to 
all  who  were  present,  Be  of  good  comfort,  for  ere  ten  hours 
of  this  day,  lam  sure  that  brand  shall  be  plucked  out  of  the 
fire.  After  which- he  went  to  prayer  at  his  wife's  bedside, 
where  for  a  time  she  lay  quiet,  but  whilst  he  mentioned 
facqfrs  wrestling  in  prayer,  she  sits  straight  up  in  the  bed, 
casting  aside  the  curtain,  and  sayeth,  Thou  art  this  day  fa- 
cob,  who  hast  wrestled,  and  also  prevailed ;  and  now  Gad 
hath  made  good  his  words,  which  he  spake  this  morning  to 
you  ;  for  I  am  plucked  out  of  the  hands  of  Satan,  and  he 
shall  have  no  power  over  me.  Which  interruption  made 
him  for  aspace  silent,  but  after  with  great  melting  of  heart 


318  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

proceeded  in  prayer,  and  magnified  the  riches  of  God's  . 
love  towards  him  ;  and  after  prayer  there  was  sweet  and 
christian  embrace ments  betwixt  tliem  :  yea,  from  that 
hour  she  did  speak  most  christianly  and  comfortably,  even 
to  her  death,  which  was  on  the  Friday  following,  August 
13,  1601,  whose  last  words  in  the  moment  of  her  depart, 
lire  were  with  a  loud  voice,  Come,  Lord,  into  thy  hands  I 
commend  my  spirit. 

After  this,  Mr.  Simpson  lived  several  years,  fervent  and 
faithful  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  one  who  in  private 
walk  witnessed  such  mortification,  that  all  who  knew  him, 
rnight  clearly  see,  his  converse  was  little  in  the  world.  In 
March,  1618,  he  said,  Now  shall  this  month  put  an  end  to 
all  these  things  !  and  accordingly,  towards  the  close  of  it, 
was  removed  by  death  ;  at  which  time  he  expressed  much 
joy,  blessing  the  Lord  for  his  kindness,  that  he  had  not 
btftw  perverted  by  the  sinful  courses  of  these  times  ;  and 
might  say,  as  the  Lord  fed  Elijah  in  the  wilderness,  so  in 
some  respect  he  had  dealt  with  him  all  his  life  time.  And 
having  these  words  upon  some  of  his  books  written,  Re- 
member\  0  my  soul,  and  never  forget  the  9th  of  August, 
what  consolation  the  Lord  gave  thee,  and  how  he  performed 
what  he  spake,  according  to  Zech.  iii.  2.  Is  not  this  a  brand 
plucked  out  of  the  fire?  Upon  which  some  of  his  friends 
speaking  to  him  about  the  same,  his  answer  was,  Absit 
mihi  gloriari  in  aliqua,  nisi  in  Domino  Deo  meo  ! 

Now,  besides  these  great  men,  many  others  who  at  that 
time  did  shine  as  lights  in  the  church,  may  be  here  also 
mentioned  ;  who  were  indeed  stars  of  the  first  magnitude, 
eminently  zealous  and  faithful,  and  their  ministry  followed 
with  much  of  the  power  and  authority  of  God.  Such  as 
Mr.  Andrew  Mehin,  of  whom  it  might  be  said,  he  had  the 
face  of  a  lion  in  his  Master's  cause,  and  feared  not  to  speak 
before  princes  and  great  men,  when  the  truth  called  for  it. 
Likewise  his  nephew,  Mr.  fames  Mehin,  that  holy  grave 
and  prudent  servant  of  .Christ,  Mr.  Andrew  Dimkan,  Mr. 
John  Scrimger,  Mr.  Charles  Fereme,  Mr.  fames  BaU 
fure,  fcfc.  One  passage  I  shall  here  set  down,  worthy  of  a 
remark,  of  Mr.  Andrew  Mehin,  who  being  prisoner  in  the 
Tower,  a  gentleman  of  his  acquaintance  got  access  to  visit 
him,  but  found  him  in  a  sad  deep  muse  about  the  defec- 
tion of  many  ministers  in  Scotland,  and  did  deplore  the 
state  of  the  church  there,  having  lately  got  an  account  of 
their  way  at  that  assembly  at  Glasgow,  1610,  where  the 
earl  of  Dumbar  had  been  active  to  corrupt  divers  with  mo- 
ney :  this  gentleman,  desiring  to  know  what  word  he  had 
for  his  own  country,  got  no  answer  ;  but  upon  a  second  in- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture,  3 1? 

quiry,  he  said,  /  have  no  word  to  send,  but  am  heavily 
grieved,  that  the  glorious  government  of  the  church  of  Scot* 
land  should  be  so  defaced,  and  a  popish  tyrannical  govern- 
ment set  up,  and  thou  Manderston  (for  out  of  that  house 
Dumbar  was  come,  and  he  thus  styled  him)  Hast  thou  no 
other  thing  to  do,  but  carry  down  to  Scotland  such  commis- 
sions, whereby  the  poor  church  there  is  wrecked:  the  Lord 
shall  be  avenged  upon  thee,  and  thou  shah  never  again  go 
down  for  all  thy  grandeur  !  which  words  took  such  impres- 
sion on  that  gentleman,  that  when  he  went  forth,  he  desir- 
ed some  friends,  who  then  waited  to  get  a  business  at  Court 
expedited  by  Dumbar fs  mediation,  that  they  would  in  time 
put  their  affairs  to  a  close,  for  he  was  persuaded,  the  words 
of  that  servant  of  Christ  should  not  fall  to  the  ground.  And 
truly  this  did  very  quickly  take  place,  that  earl  being  sud- 
denly struck  by  death,  within  a  few  months  after,  and  thus 
thrown  down  from  the  top  of  his  grandeur,  whilst  he  was 
busy,  perfecting  that  great  house  of  his  at  Berwick,  and 
had  appointed  a  sumptuous  feast  for  his  daughter's  mar- 
riage, even  then  did/6/5  thoughts  perish. 

I  shall  here  but  add  one  instance  more  of  one,  whom 
we  before  named,  though  not  a  minister,  yet  a  great  in- 
strument for  promoting  the  work  of  the  gospel  in  the  place 
where  he  lived  ;  and  one  we  may  say,  of  an  extraordinary 
spirit,  Hugh  Kennedy,  provost  of  Aire :  of  whom  I  would 
mention  these  two  passages,  from  sure  knowledge.  One 
was  this,  whilst  the  merchant  ships  of  that  town  were  at 
sea,  amongst  whom  his  son  John,  who  was  also  a  choice 
christian,  was  at  that  time,  he  did  one  night  rise  before  the 
breaking  of  day,  and  came  to  the  house  of  his  familiar  friend 
John  Steward,  desiring  he  would  rise  and  go  along  with 
him  to  some  room.  Whereat  the  said  John  being  exceed- 
ingly  astonished,  he  saith  to  him  ;  Lis  no  time  to  linger, 
let  us  go  pray,  for  my  son  with  the  rest  of  our  friends  now 
at  sea  are  at  this  hour  on  the very j  nick  of  perishing.  And 
after  they  had  spent  some  time  in  prayer,  he  arose  cheer- 
fully and  said,  Now  they  are  safe  !  Within  a  little  after, 
John  Steward,  who  had  writ  this  down,  with  the  day  and 
hour,  at  the  return  of  the  ships  did  most  particularly  in- 
quire, and  found  how  it  did  answer  in  all  the  circumstances, 
and  in  that  very  hour  of  that  night  they  were  to  appearance 
past  hope  of  safety  upon  a  very  dangerous  place,  and  by  an 
extraordinary  unexpected  providence  then  delivered. 

The  other  is  this,  one  day  being  for  many  hours  alone 
in  prayer,  whilst  some  of  his  christian  friends  did  wait  long 
for  him,  at  last  with  an  unusual  cheerfulnsss  he  can.e 
forth,  >nd  upon  their  inquiry  about  his  stay,  he.  told  them, 


S20  The.  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

It  was  no  wonder,  for  he  bad  that  day  got  maty  tdhitit^ 
and  alibis,  And  truly  it  was  very  evident,  that  not  one  of 
his  children,  but  there  was  large  ground  of  charity  $  that 
they  were  truly  godly. 

Whilst  he  was  dying,  Mr.  Ferguson,  a  godly  minister 
saith  to  him,  You  have  cause,  Sir,  to  be  assured  that  the 
angels  of  God  arc  now  waiting  at  the  stoups  of  tins  bed  to* 
convoy  your  soul  into  Abraham's  bosom.  To  whom  his 
answer  was;  I  am  sure  thereof,  and  if  the  walls  of  ibis 
bouse  could  speak,  tbey  could  tell  how  many  sweet  days  I 
have  had  in  secret  fellowship  with  God,  and  how  familiar 
he  hath  been  with  my  soul,  I  shall  only  add  Mr.  Welshes 
testimony,  in  a  letter  from  France  to  this  great  man  :  his 
Words  were  these,  Happy  is  that  city,  yea,  happy  is  thai 
nation,  that  hath  a  Hugh  Kennedy  in  it  !  I  have  myself 
certainly  found  the  answers  of  his  prayers  front  the  L  or d 
in  my  behalf 

I.  Reader,  besides  these  more  remarkable  passaged 
which  in  the  perusal  of  this  treatise  thou  wilt  find  dropped 
apart,  concerning  the  way  of  God  with  sortie  of  his  more 
eminently  faithful  servants,  I  have  in  this  place  cast  togeth- 
er some  few  instances,  which  in  the  former  impression 
were  not  hinted. 

In  the  first  place  thou  mayst  take  notice  of  these  two, 
concerning  that  walker  with  God,  great  master   Bruce,  of 
whom  some  things  have   been  spoken  elsewhere  :    and 
first,  beside  that  blesseel  frame  of  spirit  which  appeared  in 
the  whole  of  his  converse,  he  endeavoured  more  especially 
whensoever  he  was  to  appear  in  public  as  an  ambassador  of 
Jesus  Christ,  to  have  his  spirit  deeply  impressed  with  the 
majesty  of  that  God,  of  whom  he  was  to  speak,  and  of  the 
high  importance  it  was  to  the  souls  of  men,  to  have  the 
mysteries  of  salvation  unfolded  unto  them,  not  with  enticing 
words  ofmanys  wisdom,  but  in  demonstration  of  the  spirit 
and  power ;  without  which  this  preached  gospel,  though 
in  itself  the  word  of  life,  will  never  prove  the  power  of God t& 
salvation.     Anel  therefore  though  he  was  known  to  take 
much  pains  in  searching  the  scripture,  that  he  might  know 
the  mind  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  by  comparing  spiritual  things 
with  spiritual,  and  in  preparing  apposite  matter  for  the; 
edification  of  his  hearers,  which  he  durst  not  neglect,  anel 
wherein  he  durst  not  be  superficial,  as  knowing  he  was  to 
speak  of  God,  and  afraid  of  the  curse  threatened  for  doing 
of  his  work  negligently  ;  yet  this  was  the  least  part  of  his 
preparation  work,  the  main  of  his  business  lay  in  having 
his  soid  wrought  up  to  some  suitableness  of  frame  for 
preaching  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ,  and  making- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  321 

manifest  the  mystery  of  the  gospel  as  he  ought,  that  so  his 
Master  by  his  service  might  see  of  the  travail  of  his  soul 
and  be  satisfied.  And  knowing  that  the  success  of  preach, 
ing  depended  wholly  upon  the  presence  of  God  accompa- 
nying the  dispensing  of  ordinances,  his  manner  was  to  be 
much  in  prayer  and  supplication  in  private  before  his  pub- 
lic appearances;  pouring  forth  his  heart  before  God,  and 
wrestling  with  him,  not  so  much  for  assistance  to  the  mes- 
senger, as  to  the  message.  One  instance  whereof  take  as 
fclloweth  :  Being  to  preach  at  a  solemn  occasion,  he  was 
long  in  coming  to  the  congregation,  some  of  the  people  be- 
ginning to  be  weary*  and  others  wondering  at  his  stay,  the 
bells  being  long  rung,  and  the  time  far  spent,  the  beadle 
was  desired  to  go  see  what  the  matter  meant :  who  coming 
to  his  house,  and  finding  his  chamber  door  shut,  and  hear- 
ing a  sound,  drew  near,  and  listening  overheard  Mr.  Bruce 
often  with  much  seriousness  say,  I  protest  1 will  not  goy 
except  thou  go  with  me.  Whereupon  the  man  supposing 
that  some  person  had  been  with  him,  withdrew  without 
knocking  at  the  door  ;  who  being  asked  at  his  return  by  a 
gentleman  the  cause  of  his  delay,  answered,  he  could  not 
tell,  but  I  suppose  (said  he)  there  is  some  with  Mr.  Bruce, 
who  is  unwilling  to  come  to  church,  and  he  is  so  pressing 
and  peremptory  to  have  them  come  along,  that  I  overheard 
him  protest  most  seriously  he  would  not  go,  if  they  went 
not  with  him..  However  a  little  after,  Mr.  Bruce  came  ac- 
companied with  no  man,  but  he  came  in  the  fulness  of  the 
blessing  of  the  gospel  of  Christ >  and  his  speech  and  his 
preaching  was  in  such  evidence  and  demonstration  of  the 
Spirit,  that  by  the  shining  .of  his  face,  and  that  shower  of 
divine  influence *  wherewith  the  word  spoken  was  accom- 
panied, it  was  easy  for  the  hearer  to  perceive  that  he  had 
been  in  the  mount  with  God,  and  that  he  had  indeed  brought 
that  God,  whom  he  had  met  with  in  private,  into  his  moth- 
er''s  house,  and  into  the  chambers  of  her  that  conceived  him. 
Nay,  he  preached  ordinarily  with  so  much  life  and  power, 
and  the  word  spoken  by  him  was  accompanied  with  such  a 
manifest  presence,  that  it  was  evident  to  the  hearers  he  was 
not  alone  at  the  work,  but  that  in  his  strivings  to  persuade 
the  things  which  did  belong  to  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  to 
present  every  man  perfect  in  Christ  Jesus,  he  laboured 
thereunto  striving  according  to  his  working  which  wrought 
in  him  mightily.  For  though  he  was  no  Boanerges,  as  to 
his  voice,  being  of  a  slow  and  grave  delivery,  yet  he  spoke 
with  so  much  authority  and  weight  (as  becomes  the  ora- 
cles ofGodJ  that  some  of  the  most  stout  hearted  of  his  hear- 
ers were  ordinarily  made  to  trembk  ;  and  by  having  those 

R  R 


S22  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

doors,  which  formerly  had  been  bolted  against  Jesus  Christ, 
as  by  an  irresistible  power  broke  open,  and  the  secrets  of 
their  heart  made  manifest,  they  went  away  under  convictions, 
and  carrying  with  them  undeniable  proofs  of  Christ's  speak- 
ingin  him,  and  that  God  was  ivith  him  of  a  truth. 

The  other  passage,  which  I  present  thee  with,  is  concern- 
ing his  death.  Being  now  aged  and  through  infirmity  of 
body  confined  to  his  chamber,  where  he  was  frequently  visit- 
ed by  his  friends  (to  whom  a  conversation  in  heaven  and  the 
abundant  grace  of  God  in  him  had  endeared  him)  and  be- 
in§  asked  by  one  of  them,  How  matters  now  stood  betwixt 
God  and  his  soul !  he  (with  that  severity  of  soul,  which  is 
the  effect  of  the  love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  the  heart,  and 
that  plerophory,  under  which  such  walkers  with  God  and 
workers  of  righteousness  as  he  was,  are  frequently  taken 
off  the  stage)  made  this  return,  W hen  I  was  a  young  man, 
said  he,  /  was  diligent,  and  lived  by  faith  in  the  Son  of  God, 
but  now  lam  old  and  am  not  able  to  do  so  much,  yet  be  con- 
descends to  feed  me  with  lumps  of  sense. 

And  that  morning  before  the  Lord  removed  him  (his 
sickness  then  being  mostly  a  weakness  through  age)  he 
came  to  breakfast  at  his  table  ;  and  having,  as  he  used, 
eaten  one  single  egg,  he  said  to  his  daughter,  I  think  I  am 
yet  hungry,  ye  may  bring  me  another  egg ;  but  instantly 
thereafter  falling  into  a  deep  meditation,  and  after  having 
mused  a  while  he  said,  Hold,  daughter  hold ;  my  Master 
calls  me  !  with  these  words  nis  sight  failed  him.  Where- 
upon he  called  for  the  bible  ;  but  finding  his  sight  gone,  he 
said,  Cast  up  to  me  the  eighth  chapter  to  the  Romans  and 
set  my  finger  on  these  words.  /  am  persuaded  that  neither 
death  nor  life,  Esfc.  shall  be  able  to  separate  me  from  the  love 
of  God  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord.m  Now  said  he, 
is  my  finger  upon  them  ?  when  they  told  him  it  was,  with- 
out any  more  he  said,  Now  God  be  with  you,  my  children, 
I  have  breakfasted  w/th  you,  and  shall  sup  with  my  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  this  night.  And  so  gave  up  the  ghost,  death 
shutting  his  eyes  that  he  might  see  Gop.  Thus  that  val- 
iant champion  for  the  truth,  whom  in  his  appearing  to 
plead  for  the  crown  and  interest  of  Jesus  Christ  knew  not 
what  it  was  to  be  daunted  by  the  face  and  frowns  of  the 
highest  and  most  incensed  adversaries,  was  by  his  Master 
taken  off  the  field  as  mo~e  than  a  conqueror,  and  as  the  re- 
ward of  much  faithful  diligence  about  the  souls  of  others, 
and  much  pains  and  seriousness  about  making  his  own 
ending  and  election  sure,  had  an  entrance  ministered  unte 
him  abundantly  into  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  his  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  323 

II.  In  the  next  place,  reader,  I  shall  in  prosecution  of 
my  design,  which  is  thy  edification,  hint  to  thee  some 
things  concerning  that  burning  and  shining  light  Mr.  John 
Welsh,  whose  name  is  so  famous  and  savoury  for  the  great 
things  which  God  did  by  him  and  for  him,  that  I  shall 
much  disappoint  thy  expectation,  if  making  mention  of 
him,  I  should  not  acquaint  thee  with  something  rare  and 
extraordinary  :  and  therefore,  though  it  be  beside  my  de- 
sign to  give  thee  the  full  history  of  his  or  the  rest  of  these 
great  men's  lives,  yet  that  I  may  not  altogether  frustrate 
thy  expectation,  take  these  few  remarkable  passages  which 
follow.  As  first,  an  eminently  holy  minister,  yet  alive 
and  deservedly  of  esteem  in  the  church  of  Christ,  told  me, 
from  certain  knowledge,  that  two  men  coming  with  packs 
of  cloth  to  the  town  olAire  from  a  neighbouring  place,  &c. 
where  there  was  yet  no  suspicion  that  the  Lord's  hand  had 
smitten  it  with  the  plague,  which  was  then  sore  in  the 
land,  the  sentry  at  the  bridge  held  them  out,  notwithstand- 
ing they  had  a  pass,  till  the  magistrate  came  ;  who  though 
he  could  not  disprove  their  pass,  yet  would  not  permit 
them  to  enter  the  town  till  he  sent  for  Mr.  Welsh  :  So  the 
bailiff  bids  them  disburden  their  beasts,  till  he  considered 
what  was  to  be  done  :  a  little  after,  Mr.  Welsh  coming,  the 
magistrate  says  to  him,  Sir,  here  are  men  come  from  such 
a  place,  we  have  heard  of  no  plague  there  ;  besides,  they 
have  a  pass  from  known  men,  what  shall  we  do  ?  Mr. 
/fe/ft&made  no  answer,  but  uncovering  his  head,  stood  in 
the  midst  of  the  company  which  then  followed  him,  and 
having  his  eyes  directed  to  heaven  (yet  speaking  nothing) 
near  half  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  at  last  said,  Bailiff,  cause 
these  men  to  put  on  their  packs  again  and  be  gone  ;  for  if 
God  be  in  heaven,  the  plague  of  God  is  in  these  packs. 
These  men  returned  and  opened  their  packs  in  Comnock  ; 
and  it  was  observed,  that  such  contagion  was  therein,  that 
all  in  that  village  died,  there  was  not  a  man  left  to  bury  the 
dead. 

He  was  famous  in  his  generation  for  the  power  he  had  in 
prevailing  with  God  by  prayer  and  supplication  :  whereof 
take  these  following  instances  amongst  the  many  which 
might  be  given. 

One  is,  that  being  on  a  certain  night  under  an  extraor- 
dinary pressure  of  spirit  to  go  and  pour  forth  his  heart  to 
God,  he  left  his  wife  in  bed,  and  going  out  to  a  garden, 
spent  most  of  the  night  in  that  exercise  (a  thing  so  ordinary 
to  him  that  he  used  to  say,  he  wondered  how  a  christian 
could  lie  a  bed  all  night,  without  rising  to  spend  some  of 
the  night  in  prayer  and  praise  !)  but  his  wife  weary,  at  last 


324  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

went  to  seek  for  him,  but  missing  him  in  his  ordinary 
place,  went  into  other  gardens,  by  such  passages  as  she 
knew,  at  last  she  heard  a  voice,  and  drawing  near  to  it, 
could  hear  him  speak  a  few  words,  but  with  great  force 
and  fervency,  mixed  and  accompanied  with  floods  of  tears  ; 
which  were  these,  0  God,  wilt  thou  not  give  me  Scotland  ! 
O  God,  wilt  thou  not  give  me  Scotland  !  She  being  weary, 
and  afraid  to  interrupt  him,  went  home,  and  heard  not  the 
close.  At  last  he  came  home,  and  reentering  his  bed,  his 
/wife  began  to  reprove  his  unmercifulness  to  his  own  body  ; 
then  asked  him,  what  it  was  he  was  saying?  for  she  told, 
she  heard  him.  Well  said  he,  you  had  better  have  been  in 
your  bed,  but  since  ye  heard,  J  tell  you,  I  have  endured  a 
great  fight  for  Scotland  this  night,  and  hardly  could  I  get  a 
remnant  reserved,  yet  he  will  be  gracious. 

After  this  he  arose  another  night,  but  went  not  out  of 
doors,  but  in  a  chamber  he  travailed  and  groaned  so,  as 
that  his  wife  impatient  did  rise  several  times,  calling  him  to 
bed;  but  he  waited  his  time:  and  when  he  came,  she  be- 
gan  a  modest  expostulation  with  him  for  tarrying.  Hold 
thy  peace,  said  he,  it  will  be  well  with  us  ;  but  I  shall  never 
preach  another  preaching  in  Aire.  And  having  fallen 
asleep,  before  he  awaked,  the  messenger  was  come,  who 
by  command  carried  him  prisoner  to  the  castle  of  Edin- 
burgh. 

When  he  was  prisoner  in  the  castle  of  Edinburgh,  the 
lord  Uchihry,  was  captain,  whose  sister  was  Mr.  Welshes 
mother  in  law,  being  John  Knox's  wife  :  yet  being  much 
taken  up  in  king  James'9  court,  he  took  not  time  to  be  so 
comfortable  to  his  cousin  Welsh  as  he  should  :  but  being 
convinced  of  his  own  unkindness,  he  caused  Mr.  Welsh  to 
sup  with  him  one  night  in  the  castle,  where  were  also  sev- 
eral other  gentlemen,  and  amongst  them  a  popish  youth  sat 
toward  the  lower  end  of  the  table  ;  Mr.  Welsh  being  by  the 
captain  set  at  the  upper  end,  entertained  the  company  with 
grave  and  edifying  discourse,  which  all  delighted  to  hear, 
save  this  young  papist,  who  with  laughter  and  derision  la^ 
boured  to  silence  him,  which  was  little  regarded  by  Mr. 
Welsh.  But  after  supper,  while  the  guests  sat  a  little,  this 
youth  stood  up  at  the  lower  end  of  the  table,  and  while  Mr. 
'Welsh  proceeded  from  grave  to  gracious  entertainment  of  his 
company,  the  youth  came  to  that  height  of  insolence  as  with 
the  finger  to  point  at  him,  and  with  the  face  to  make  flouting 
grimaces,  whereby  he  grieved  the  holy  man,  so  as  on  a 
sudden  he  was  forced  to  a  silence. 

The  whole  company,  who  had  heard  him  with  delight, 
were  silent  with  him.     Within  a  little,  Mr.  Welsh,  as 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  325 

moved  by  the  Spiritof  God,  broke  forth  into  these  words : 
Gentlemen,  the  Spirit  of  God  is  provoked  against  us,  and  I 
shall  entreat  you  not  to  be  afraid  to  see  what  God  shall  do 
among  you  before  you  rise  from  the  table,  for  he  ivill  smite 
one  o)  you  with  death  before  you  go  hence.  All  were  silent- 
ly astonished,  waiting  to  see  the  issue  with  fear.  And 
while  every  man  feared  himself,  except  the  insolent  youth, 
Af  fell  down  dead  suddenly  at  the  foot  of  the  table,  to  shew 
the  power  of  God's  jealousy  against  the  mockers  of  his 
Spirit  and  of  the  offers  of  his  grace.  This  history  with  va- 
riation of  some  circumstances,  is  set  down  before. 

One  day  while  Mr.  Welsh  looked  out  at  his  chamber 
window  in  the  castle,  he  happened  to  see  the  captain,  and 
called  unto  him,  saying,  God  save  you,  my  lord  !  The 
captain  acknowledging  his  neglect,  and  asking  for  Mr. 
Welsh's  welfare,  desired  to  know  how  he  might  serve  him. 
In  nothing,  said  Mr.  Welsh,  if  you  be  well,  except  you 
would  carry  my  petition  to  his  majesty,  entreating  for  lib- 
erty to  preach  the  gospel  I  willingly  will,  said  the  captain, 
therefore  send  it  to  me.  Nay,  said  Mr.  Welsh,  I  am  your 
kinsman,  I  love  you  so  well  as  to  warn  you  not  to  take  it 
in  charge,  except  you  resolve  to  deal  truly  in  delivering  it 
and  in  getting  me  an  answer.  I  shall  bear  the  blame,  said 
the  captain,  if  I  do  it  not.  I  beseech  you,  my  lord,  said 
the  other,  undertake  not  unless  you  mind  to  do  it,  for  the 
hazard  is  great.  Well,  Uchiltry  takes  it :  but  not  com- 
ing in  an  opportune  season  (for  he  carne  when  the  king 
was  passionately  moved  on  another  occasion)  he  thought 
not  fit  then  to  give  it ;  and  as  at  that  time  he  deferred,  so 
thereafter  he  neglected,  and  at  last  quite  forgot  to  deliver  it 
at  all.  For  which  his  heart  smiting  him,  he  durst  hardly 
be  seen  of  Mr.  Welsh  {ox  three  months.  Yet  conscience 
forgetting  as  well  as  he,  he  came  to  the  same  place  where 
Mr.  Welsh  at  first  called  him.  And  now  Mr.  Welsh  ask- 
ed, how  he  did,  and  what  was  become  of  his  petition  ? 
The  captain  surprised,  answered,  I  delivered  it  to  his  maj- 
esty, but  he  was  in  a  passion,  and  it  seems  it  hath  fallen  by, 
for  I  have  not  gotten  an  answer.  Nay,  my  lord,  said  Mr. 
Welsh,  you  should  not  lie  to  God,  and  to  me  :  I  know  you 
delivered  it  not,  I  am  sorry  (my  lord)  for  your  lot,  I  warn- 
ed you  not  to  be  false  to  God  ;  and  now  I  tell  you,  God 
shall  take  your  estate  and  honours  in  Scotland,  and  shall 
give  them  to  your  neighbouring,  this  in  your  own  time. 
This  troubled  the  lord  Uchiltry,  and  came  truly  to  pass  ; 
for  he  being  the  eldest  son  of  the  good  lord  Uchiltry,  a 
reformer,  was  forced  in  his  own  time  to  quit  all,  and 
give  both  estate  and  honours  to  James,  the  son  of  cap- 


326  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

tain  James,  the  second  brother,  who  was  the  last  of  that 
house. 

III.  Concerning  master  John  Scrimger,  minister  at 
Kingborn.  There  was  a  godly  woman  under  his  charge, 
called  ■■»  who  fell  sick  of  a  very  lingering  sickness, 
and  was  all  the  while  assaulted  with  strong  temptations,  ap. 
prehending  she  was  a  cast  away,  (yet  had  she  not  only  giv- 
en ground  for  charity,  but  her  christian  conversation  for  a 
long  time  had  put  the  reality  of  the  grace  of  God  in  her 
beyond  debate  with  the  more  discerning  who  knew  her) 
Mr.  Scrimger  often  visited  her,  while  in  this  deep  exercise, 
conferred  with  her,  prayed  over  her  ;  but  her  trouble  re- 
mained  notwithstanding,  and  the  terrors  of  God  still  lodg- 
ed with  her.  When  she  drew  near  her  dissolution,  she 
became  worse  both  in  body  and  spirit ;  and  sent  for  Mr. 
Scrimger,  who  at  that  time  took  two  of  his  elders  with 
him,  and  in  their  presence  first  endeavoured  to  comfort 
her  by  exhortation  and  conference,  then  he  prayed,  and 
seeing  her  the  nearer  l>er  end  seemingly  the  worse,  he 
made  some  of  the  elders  to  pray ;  and  again  he  himself 
prayed.  But  Satan  still  raged  the  more,  and  her  soul  the 
more  removed  from  peace.  Then  he  sat  in  a  muse  a  little 
space,  and  said,  What  is  this  !  our  laying  before  her 
grounds  of  comfort  will  not  do  it,  conference  will  not  do  it, 
prayer  will  not  do  it,  we  must  use  another  remedy.  Sure 
J  am,  this  is  a  (laughter  of  Abraham  ;  sure  I  am,  I  am  the 
elder  ;  sure  I  am,  she  hath  sent  for  me.  And  therefore  in 
name  of  God  the  father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  sent 
him  to  redeem  sinners ;  in  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  obey, 
ed  the  Father,  and  came  to  save  us ;  in  name  of  the  holy  and 
blessed  Spirit,  our  quickener  and  sanctifier,  1  the  elder  com- 
mand  thee  a  daughter  of  Abraham  to  be  loosed  from  these 
bonds f     And  immediately  peace  and  joy  succeeded. 

An  example  it  is  of  God's  power  in  that  time,  to  make 
our  hair  stand,  at  the  force  of  faith  and  boldness  of  spirit ; 
rather  than  to  be  imitated  by  such  as  wanting  the  ancient 
holiness  would  rather  have  a  spirit  for  miracles,  than  for 
salvation. 

IV.  I  shall  here  insert  some  special  and  edifying  re,, 
marks  of  the  life  of  that  great  and  worthy  servant  of  Jesus 
Christ,  Mr.  Robert  Blair,  (well  known  to  this  church,  it 
being  but  a  few  years  since  his  death)  who  was  deservedly 
numbered  among  the  first  of  those  great  and  worthy  instru- 
ments, whom  the  Lord  raised  up  amongst  us  for  carrying 
on  the  late  blessed  reformation.  Some  of  which  I  knew 
from  himself  (though  from  much  humble  modesty  he  too 
much  in  these  things  concealed  himself,  and  shunned  the 


The  fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  327 

setting  down  thereof  under  his  own  hand,  whereto  he  was 
much  pressed)  but  the  most  of  them  1  had  from  one  of  his 
special  intimate  friends,  and  a  grave  and  eminent  minister 
of  this  church. 

In  his  younger  years,  it  was  known  how  much  he  outrun 
others  in  his  studies,  and  gave  those  who  knew  him  ground 
to  hope,  what  after  was  seen ;  the  Lord  was  pleased  to 
call  him  by  the  ministry  of  famous  Trochrig,  in  whose 
hand  (these  were  his  own  words)  did  the  Lord  put  the  key 
that  first  opened  his  heart.    Upon  his  first  coming  forth  to 
preach,  he  by  a  remarkable  providence  had  master  Bruce, 
whom  you  have  formerly  mentioned,  to  be  his  hearer ;  and 
as  I  heard  himself  declare,  it  was  his  desire  to  have  the 
judgment  of  so  great  a  man  upon  his  discourse  ;  whose 
censure,  he  said,  he^  would  never  forget,  it  had  been  so 
much  blessed.     Which  was  this,  /  found  (saith he)  your 
sermon  very  polished  and  digested  (which  was  indeed  easy 
to  one  of  his  parts)  but  there  is  one  thing  I  did  miss  in  it,  to 
wit,  the  Spirit  of  God  ;  I  found  not  that.     This  grave  Mr. 
Blair  did  often  speak  to  others,  which  then  took  a  deep 
impression  upon  himself,  and  helped  him  to  see  it  was 
something  else  to  be  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  than  to  be 
a  knowing  and  eloquent  preacher.    He  was  for  divers  years 
regent  in  the  college  of  Glasgow  ;  where  he  made  it  his 
work,  to  train  up  those  under  his  charge  in  the  study  of 
godliness,  as  well  as  of  human  learning  :  but  by  reason  of 
the  prejudice  of  some  who  had  power  in  that  place,  he 
could  not  long  stay.    One  passage  whilst  he  was  there, 
I  did  hear  him  relate  :  upon  the  report  of  some  sinful 
oath  to  be  pressed  upon  the  masters  of  the  college,  he  in- 
quired at  a  fellow  regent  of  his,  Mr  Gawin  Forsyth,  what 
he  would  do  in  that  matter  ?  whose  answer  was,  By  my 
faith  I  must  live.    To  whom  Mr.  Blair  said,  Sir,  I  will 
not  swear  by  my  faith,  as  you  do;  but  truly  I  intend  to  live 
by  my  faith.     Tou  may  choose  your  own  way  ;  but  I  will 
adventure  on  the  Lord.    That  wretched  man  did  continue, 
to  whom  the  matter  of  an  oath  was  a  small  thing,  after  he 
was  gone  :  but  which  is  worthy  of  a  remark,  many  years 
after,  Mr.  Forsy th  fell  into  such  poverty,  as  forced  his  sup- 
plicating of  the  general  assembly  of  the  church  for  some 
relief,  where  worthy  Mr.  Blair  was  then  made  choice  of  to 
preside  as  moderator,  and  upon  his  appearance  in  that 
deplorable  case  could  not  shun  the  observing  of  that  for- 
mer passage,  and  upon  his  address  to  him  in  private  put 
him  in  mind  thereof,  though  with  great  tenderness,  as  he 
said,  not  in  the  least  to  upbraid  him  in  his  low  condition, 
but  to  let  him  see  that  he  had  been  truly  carried  through 
by  his  faith,  at  which  be  formerly  had  scoffed. 


32%  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

After  his  being  put  from  the  college \  he  went  to  visit  hii* 
brother,  then  minister  at  Dumbarton,  and  confessed  that 
by  the  way  he  could  not  forbear  singing,  from  joy  in  the 
remembrance  of  God's  being  with  him,  and  helping  him  to 
be  instrumental  in  the  good  of  the  youth,  who  had  been  un- 
der his  inspection.  He  went  after  to  Ireland,  having  re- 
ceived a  call  from  Bangor  ;  and  upon  the  sight  of  land,  his 
heart  was  so  immediately  made  to  exuk  within  him  for 
joy,  that  (as  he  said)  he  could  scarce  bear  the  same. 
Whilst  he  came  near  Bangor,  he  had  a  strong  impression 
borne  in  upon  him,  that  the  dean  of  Bangor  was  sick  unto 
death  and  should  rise  no  more  ;  which  at  first  he  rejected, 
as  an  impertinent  suggestion ;  but  going  further  on  his 
way,  it  was  with  such  power  impressed  upon  his  spirit,  as 
forced  him  to  take  notice  of  it.  When  he  came  to  the 
place,  he  found,  the  dean  was  indeed  lying  sick,  and  though 
a  most  naughty  man,  made  him  not  only  welcome  upon 
his  visit,  but  encouraged  him  to  hold  on  in  his  way,  and 
told  him  he  was  to  succeed  him  in  that  change  ;  yea,  he 
spoke  so  unlike  himself,  and  in  a  strain  so  different  from 
what  was  usual  unto  him,  that  a  gentlewoman  standing  by 
said  to  some  others,  an  angel  is  speaking  out  of  the  dean's 
bed  to  Mr.  Blair  ;  thinking  it  could  not  be  such  a  man. 

He  had  been  once  troubled  with  an  appearing  of  the 
devil,  whilst  he  was  a  regent  in  the  college ;  who,  like  a 
crooked  boy  that  waited  on  him,  stood  up  and  laughed 
him  in  the  face,  whilst  he  was  serious  in  his  chamber,  and 
immediately  disappeared  ;  but  after,  whilst  he  was  at  B an- 
gor,  there  was  one  in  that  parish,  who  went  to  Scotland 
with  horses  to  sell,  and  at  a  fair  he  met  with  a  man  who 
at  once  was  willing  to  buy  them  all;  but  pretending  he 
had  not  all  that  money  at  present,  gave  him  bond  until 
Mertimess  :  the  poor  man  having  no  suspicion,  returns  ; 
and  near  that  time,  going  homeward  from  Bangor  one 
night,  his  merchant  meets  him,  who  was  the  devil:  now 
said  he,  you  know  my  bargain,  how  1  bought  you  at  such 
a  place,  and  I  am  corneas  I  promised,  to  pay  you  the 
price.  Bought  me,  said  the  other  trembling,  you  bought 
but  my  horses ;  nay,  says  the  devil,  I  will  let  you  know  I 
bought  yourself,  and  to  the  poor  man  confounded  with  fear, 
said,  he  must  either  kill  some  body,  and  the  more  excel- 
lent  the  person  were,  the  better  it  would  be  for  him  :  else 
he  would  not  free  him,  and  particularly  charged  him  to  kill 
Mr.  Blair.  The  man  overcome  with  terror,  and  through 
the  violence  of  that  temptation,  determined  the  thing,  and 
went  to  Mr.  Blair's  house  with  a  dagger  in  his  right  hand, 
hid  beneath  his  cloak,  and  though  much  ccnicunded,  was 


The  Fulfilling  of  We  Scripture.  329 

moving  toget.it  out;  but  after  Mr.  Blair'' s  speaking  to 
him,  the  poor  man  ft  11  a  trembling  so  extremely,  that  upoa 
a  further  inquiry  he  freely  declared  for  what  end  he  was 
come,  and  told  he  had  laboured  to  draw  out  his  dagger, 
but  it  would  not  Come  from  the  scabbard,  though  he  knew 
not  what  hindered  it ;  for  then,  when  he  essayed  to  draw  it 
forth  again;  it  came  out  with  much  ease.  Master  Blair 
blessing  the  Lord,  exhorted  him  to  choose  him  for  his  ref- 
uge. He  was  after  threatened  and  much  terrified  by  the 
devil,  but  nothing  mure  followed. 

After  some  time  in  the  ministry  at  Bangor,  he  with  oth- 
ers of  his  worthy  brethren  was  silenced  by  the  bishop ;  and 
as  he  told  himself,  was  in  the  church  when  the  bishop,  (one 
EcklineJ  did  himself  intimate  the  sentence.  Upon  which* 
Mr.  B/airrose  up  publicly  in  the  congregation,  and  with 
great  authority  did  cite  the  bishop  to  appear  before  the  tri- 
bunal of  Jesus  Christ,  to  answer  for  what  he  was  doing, 
contrary  to  his  own  light  and  conscience,  against  those 
whom  he  knew  to  be  faithful  ministers  of  the  gospel ; 
whereupon  the  man  was  so  astonished,  that  he  immediate- 
ly cried  out,  I  appeal  from  the  tribunal  of  the  justice  of 
God  to  the  throne  of  his  mercy  !  To  whom  Mr.  Blair  re- 
plies  ;  Sir,-  your  appeal  is  rejected  ;  for  you  know,  what 
yoi4  are  doing  is  directly  against  your  conscience,  which 
hath  made  you  bear  witness  to  us  as  the  servants  of  Jesus 
Christ.  A  few  months  after,  the  bishop  fell  sick ;  and  the 
physicians  inquiring  about  his  case,  he  only  could  say, 
My  conscience  /  and  so  died. 

Whilst  under  restraint,  he  was  by  his  brethren  sent  to 
England,  to  deal  with  the  king  for  their  liberty.  When 
he  was  on  the  road,  he  was  taken  with  a  mighty  fit  of  the 
stone,  which  made  him  lie  upon  his  horse's  neck,  not  he- 
ir g  able  to  hold  up  his  back  ;  which  much  disquieted  him, 
as  being  a  probable  let  upon  such  an  important  business. 
And  in  this  posture  he  turned  to  the  Lord  in  prayer  ;  but 
immediately  after,  essaying  if  he  could  possibly  lift  up  his 
back,  he  found  to  his  astonishment,  his  tormenting  pain 
quite  gone,  and  perfect  ease,  nor  did  it  recur  to  him  for 
two  years  after.  A  few  days  after,  in  the  same  journey, 
his  horse  fell  very  lame  ;  which  did  in  some  measure  trou- 
ble him,  having  no  convenient  access  to  provide  himself  of 
another  :  and  even  upon  this,  did  address  to  the  Lord  by 
prayer,  that  in  such  a  strait  he  might  be  helped,  which  he 
graciously  condescended  to  do,  so  that  the  horse  was  to 
1  vis  amazement  healed,  and  without  the  least  halt  did  carry 
:o  London. 

$  s 


350  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

Whilst  he  was  there,  he  did  essay  what  he  could  to 
accomplish  his  business,  but  could  have  no  access  to  the 
king  ;  yea,  some  who  were  his  friends  at  court,  after  trial 
assured  him,  he  had  no  ground  to  hope  in  that  matter ; 
yet  he  resolved  to  continue,  and  roll  the  business  over  on 
the  Lord,  for  whose  service  he  was  only  importuning  an 
open  door.  And  one  day^  having  gone  to  Greenwich, 
where  the  court  then  was,  being  wearied  with  waiting  with- 
out access,  he  retired  into  the  park  to  pray,  where  after 
much  wresling  with  the  Lord,  he  was  in  a  more  than 
ordinary  way  brought  near,  and  had  so  clear  a  return,  that  he 
could  not  withstand  the  assurance  he  got,  that  his  way 
should  be  successful  :  but  the  appearance  thereof  in  an  or- 
dinary way  being  so  small,  pressed  him  to  ad  venture  hum- 
bly the  asking  of  a  sig n  from  the  Lord  ;  and  immediately 
after  there  being  a  considerable  wind  that  blew  hard  and 
made  a  noise  among  the  bulrushes  that  grew  there,  so  great 
a  calm  did  presently  follow,  that  not  the  least  plant  of  the 
ground  did  any  ways  move  or  stir.  He  went  thence  to 
London,  and  within  a  few  days  in  a  most  strange  way  had 
his  petition  presented  to  the  king,  and  accepted  :  yea,  in 
St.  James''  park  was  particularly  called  for,  where  the  king, 
with  his  own  hand  did  not  only  sign  it,  but  wrote  these 
words  in  the  margin,  which  he  directed  to  the  deputy,  In- 
dulge the  education  of  these  ministers,  for  they  are  Scotch- 
men. 

'  When  he  was  in  England,  he  had  a  strange  discovery  of 
his  wife  (an  excellent  gentlewoman)  her  dying,  and  that  she 
was  lying  in  such  a  bed,  and  a  christian  friend  of  his  par- 
ticular  acquaintance  beside  her.  When  he  came  home, 
he  found  his  wife  in  health  ;  but  a  little  after,  she  fell  sick 
and  died  in  that  same  bed,  with  that  friend  sitting  by  her, 
and  with  all  those  particular  circumstances.  These  are 
but  a  few  of  many  great  and  remarkable  passages  in  that 
excellent  man's  life,  who  was  himself  as  great  an  observer 
of  providence,  as  any  in  the  age  he  lived  in  ;  and  this  he 
had  notably  verified  in  himself,  which  was  an  usual  saying 
of  his  to  others,  Observable  things  do  follow  them  who  arc 
given  to  observation. 

V.  This  seems  an  eminent  instance  of  the  providence  of 
Gon-,  and  worthy  to  be  on  record,  that  concerns  the  laird 
of  Raith,  of  a  known  and  ancient  family  in  this  country, 
who  in  the  beginning  of  the  reformation  was  a  professed 
paf)isf  :  but  the  Lord  directing  that  great  servant  of  his, 
Mr.  Wishart,  one  night  very  late  to  his  house,  who  after 
some  repulse  from  a  servant  got  access  to  this  gentleman, 
-\sid  told  him,  lie  was  come  with  the  offer  of  the  gospel  of 


The  Fulfilling  6/ the  Scripture.  33* 

Christ  to  him,  and  his  family,  if  he  would  receive  it; 
which  was  in  that  manner  backed  with  the  authority  of 
God,  and  his  power  on  that  gentleman's  conscience,  that 
he  most  kindly  received  Mr.  fVishart,  and  told  him,  His 
offer  was  welcome.  And  a  little  after,  this  visit  was  made 
so  successful,  upon  Mr.  WisharVs^  instructing  him  and  his 
family  in  the  truth,  that  they  publicly  professed  the  same, 
and  this  worthy  gentleman  evidenced  his  being  truly  taken 
by  the  heart.  But  sometime  after,  upon  a  snare  laid  for 
him  by  cardinal  Beaton,  he  was  seized  upon  in  the  laird  of 
Grange's  house,  and  thence  carried  prisoner  to  the  castle 
of  Edinburgh,  and  so  hotly  pursued  by  this  wretched 
man's  rage,  who  then  was  in  his  greatest  power,  that  in  a 
short  time  he  was  sentenced  to  die  :  his  lady's  being  over, 
whelmed  with  grief,  upon  her  husband's  suffering  and  the 
forfeiture  of  that  estate,  having  five  sons, Resides  some 
daughters,  to  provide,  did  move  him.  But  as  one  then 
much  with  God,  he  with  much  confidence  told  her,  having 
gotten  this  assurance  from  that  God  for  whom  he  suffered, 
concerning  his  house  and  posterity,  that  she  had  no  cause 
to  be  troubled  :  for,  as  to  her  outward  case,  she  should  yet 
live  to  see  the  youngest  of  her  sons  in  a  better  condition 
than  he  had  been  himself.  Which  most  clearly  fell  out, 
and  is  well  known  to  many  in  this  time  :  his  second  son 
went  to  France,  was  there  raised  to  great  honour,  and  up- 
on his  returning  home,  purchased  a  considerable  estate,  and 
was  made  Lord  Mehin  ;  and  which  calls  for  a  remark, 
bought  a  part  of  the  cardinal' '$  estate,  the  then  great  instru- 
ment of  the  present  ruin  of  his  house,  which  continues  to 
this  clay.  His  third  son  was  lord  Tongland,  as  one  of  the 
judges  of  the  session  ;  and  another  of  them  laird  of  Halhill ; 
but,  which  was  most  strange,  the  French  king,  (it  seems 
moved  from  the  great  respect  he  had,  to  that  worthy  gen- 
tleman Sir  Robert  Mehin,  the  second  son  formerly  men 
tioned)  did,  upon  some  treaty  with  Scotland,  press  and  pro- 
cure the  taking  off  the  forfeiture  of  that  estate  of  Raith, 
whereby  the  eldest  son  was  also  restored.  And  it  is  known 
to  this  day, %  in  what  a  measure  the  Lord  hath  graciously 
witnessed  his  respect  to  that  house  and  family,  which  now 
is  enjoyed  by  my  lord  Mehin,  who,  as  he  is  by  a  cofttinu< 
ed  succession  the  descent  of  that  worthy  gentleman,  who 
thus  suffered  for  the  truth,  so  it  is  hoped  he  shall  be  found 
walking  in  the  steps  of  his  truly  renowned  ancestors,  who 
"walked  with  God,  and  adhered  to  his  truth,  while  forsaken 
and  persecuted. 

VI.  I  shall  mention,  among  these  late  instances,  a  nota- 
ble passage  of  an  excellent  roan-,  and  deservedly  of  great 


332  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture: 

repute  in  his  time  among  the  first  restorers  of  the  gospel-. 
and  of  learning  in  France,  after  the  reformation,  which 
grave  and  famous  Rivet  sets  down  in  a  letter  of  his  to  his 
brother,  and  is  since  his  death  printed  in  the  French 
tongue;  which  relation  I  shall  give  to  those  who  have  not 
access  to  that  book  ;  it  is  this.  ^  James  Faber,  native  of  a 
steeple  in  Piccardy,  a  most  faithful  and  eminent  minister* 
of  the  gospel  there,  did  in  the  persecution  of  that  time  flee, 
with  others,  and  for  security  retired  to  the  queen  of  Na- 
varre, then  in  Albrct  in  Gascoine,  who  had  him  in  high  es- 
teem :  on  a  certain  day,  die  queen  did  advertise  him,  she 
purposed  to  come  and  dine  at  his  house,  and  for  that  end 
did  invite  some  learned  men,  in  whose  conference  she  took 
much  delight:  at  dinner  Faber  became  exceedingly  sad, 
and  now  and  then  fell  out  in  bitter  weeping  ;  at  which  the 
queen  complained,  and  inquiring  the  cause,  why  he  weep- 
ed  whilst  she  had  come  to  be  merry  wi'th  him,  he  in  the 
end  said,  Most  serene  queen,  how  can  1  be  glad,  or  make 
others  glad;  who  am  as  wicked  a  man  as  the' earth  bears  ! 
and  what  isthat  wickedness,  says  she,  you  have  commit- 
ted, who  are  known  from  your  youth  to  have  lived  so  ho- 
ly ?  He  answered,  I  am  now  the  age  of  an  hundred  years, 
free  from  the  touch  of  any  woman,  and  remember  not  that 
I  have  committed  what  would  burthen  my  conscience,  or 
make  me  afraid  to  leave  die  world ;  except  one  sin,  for 
which  I  am  assured  propitiation  is  possible.  And  ^s  she 
pressed  him  to  tell  it,  whilst  he  could  scarce  speak  for  abun- 
dance of  tears,  he  said,  How  can  I  stand  before  the  throne  of 
God ?  whohavingtaughtothersinpurity andsincerity  theho- 
ly  evangel  of  the  Son  of  God,  many  of  whom  having  followed 
my  doctrine,  have  constantly  suffered  a  thousand  torments, 
and  death  itself,  and  in  the  mean  time  I,  an  unconstant  doc- 
tor,  did  flee  ;  and  though  I  had  lived  long  enough,  and 
shduld  not  have  feared  death,  but  rather  desired  it,  did  yet 
withdraw,  and  thus  cowardly  transgressed  the  command 
of  my  God  !  Whereupon  the  queen,  as  she  was  most  elo- 
quent, did  by  reason  anel  example  shew  him,  this  had  be- 
fallen others  of  the  holy  servants  of  God  :  and  others  there 
also.,  did  add  such  considerations,  as  that  he  became  more- 
cheerful;  and  said,  there  remains  nothing,  but  that  I  go 
from  hence  to  God,  and  after  I  have  now  made  my  testa- 
ment, I  have  that  impression,  I  must  delay  no  longer, 
knowing  the  Lord  calls  for  me.  After  he  fixed  his  eyes 
on  the  queen,  and  says,  Madam,  I  make  you  my  heir  : 
and  to  your  preacher,  Gerard,  I  leave  my  books  ;  and  my 
cl oaths,  and  other  things  I  have,  I  leave  to  the  poor. 
Whereupon  the  queen  smiling,  asked,  What  then  Mr. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  333 

Faber,  shall  I  have  ?  The  care,  said  he,  madam,  to  dis- 
tribute this  to  the  poor.  It  is  well,  said  she  ;  I  solemnly 
profess,  this  legacy  is  more  acceptable  to  me,  than  if  the 
king,  my  brother,  had  named  me  his  heir.  Thereafter 
they  saw  him  more  joyful  ;  then  he  said,  I  have  need  of 
some  rest,  be  you  merry  and  joyful,  and  in  the  mean  time 
adieu  ;  and  having  spoke  this,  he  turned  him  over  on  a  bed 
that  was  near  ;  where,  as  they  judged,  lie  lay  sleeping,  but 
was  indeed  fallen  asleep  in  the  Lord,  without  the  least  sign 
of  a  previous  indisposition  ;  for  when  they  were  about  to 
awake  him,  they  found  him  to  their  admiration  dead.  Such 
was  the  end  of  this  personage  indubitably  holy,  which  the 
queen  of  Navarre  did  herself  relate  to  the  elector  Freder- 
ick the  second  of  Palatine,  when  he  was  sick  at  Paris,  in 
his  return  from  Spain,  from  the  emperor  Charles  the  fifth, 
and  it  was  communicated  by  a  worthy  gentleman  Hubertus 
Thomas,  a  counsellor  of  the  said  Frederick's,  who  was 
present  at  this  relation  of  the  queen's,  from  whom  Rivet 
had  it  written  by  himself. 

VII.  I  shall  subjoin  two  passages  worthy  of  observation, 
which  concern  a  grave  and  eminently  godly  minister  in  the 
church  of  Ireland,  Mr.  Andrew  Steward,  minister  at  Duna- 
gor,  which,  (together  with  some  of  these  other  remarkable 
instances  here  mentioned)  were  transmitted  unto  me  from 
his  worthy  son,  Mr.  Andrew  Steward,  minister  of  Dona- 
chade ;  who  both  knew  the  certainty  of  them,  and  was 
himself  also  a  great  observer  of  such  confirmations  of  the 
truth  :  whom  I  cannot  mention  without  sorrow  at  the  re- 
membrance of  the  late  removal  of  so  eminent  and  useful  a 
minister  of  Jesus  Christ. 

The  frst  is  an  instance  and  evidence  of  the  power  and 
prevalency  of  prayer  with  God.  On  a  Monday  after  a 
communion  where  a  great  multitude  being  gathered,  and 
these  of  the  choicest  of  that  country,  whilst  as  a  shepherd, 
he  was  feeding  his  fleck  in  a  large  place,  (for  the  numer- 
ousness  of  the  hearers  imposed  a  necessity  upon  him  to 
preach  in  the  field)  an  horrid  black  cloud,  and  fearful  to 
look  on,  hanged  directly  over  their  head,  which  to  all  pres- 
ent threatened  a  strange  pouring  down  of  rain,  whereby  the 
exercise  would  have  been  interrupted  :  yea,  some  drops 
were  begun  to  fall  ;  but  Mr.  Steward,  then  at  great  advan- 
tage in  his  own  spirit  as  to  nearness  with  God,  begged 
their  leave  to  retire  a  little  from  the  place,  and  went  to 
another  part  for  prayer,  and  while  he  prayed,  it  was  ob- 
servably seen,  that  the  cloud  did  remove  half  a  mile  off  on 
the  south  hand,  and  there  fell  down  in  such  a  mighty  rain, 
that  albeit  it  was  the  heat  of  summer,  the  brooks  so  swell. 


334  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

ed,  that  some  coming  too  late  to  sermon  could  not  have 
passage  over  ;  but  where  they  were  gathered,  there  was 
not  one  drop  more.  So  that  he  went  on  with  a  full  gale  to 
the  close  of  the  work,  to  the  no  small  advantage  and  convic- 
tion of  his  hearers. 

The  next  concerns  his  death.  B~ing  called  to  the  buri- 
al of  that  excellent  man  of  God,  Mr.  Jonah  Welsh,  son  of 
that  great  man  formerly  mentioned,  who  was  his  neighbour 
minister,  he  stood  sometime  at  the  grave,  as  a  sad  observ- 
er of  such  a  thing,  and  to  some  who  were  by,  said,  Who 
Jtnowj  who  will  be  next  I  -But  none  answering,  he  said  to 
them,  I  know  !  and  thus  turned  away,  and  went  home  to 
Dunagor  on  foot,  and  entering  into  the  church  did  bolt  the 
doors,  where  he  tarried  some  two  hours  ;  and  aiier,  gamg 
to  his  house,  he  fell  asleep  on  his  bed  with  an  excess  of 
griti',  whence  he  never  in  health  rose  again,  but  was  buri- 
ed that  day  month.  When  his  wife  returned,  whom  he 
had  left  with  Mr.  Welsh's  widow,  she  inquired,  what  he 
had  been  doing  ?  to  whom  he  said,  I  have  been  taking  my 
leave  of  the  church  ofjDfrnagdr  ;  and  1  was  there  taking 
timber  and  stones  to  witness,  that  in  my  short  time  I  had 
laboured  to  be  faithful,  and  that  according  to  my  light  1 
have  revealed  the  whole  c  ninset  of  God  to  t  he  people.  (How 
great  a  testimony  of  the  conscience  was  this  !)  After  four- 
teen nights  lying,  Mr.  Ridge,  a  choice  English  minister 
there,  came  to  visit  him,  and  said,  I  hope,  sir,  you  do  not 
now  rue  that  ye  have  been  faithful.  He  answered,  I  rue 
nothing,  but  that  I  was  too  long  in  beginning  (he  meant  his 
resisting,  for  several  years,  a  call  to  the  ministry,  to  which 
he  had  been  much  pressed)  and  I  will  tell  you  a  strange 
thing  which  hath  helped  me  to  be  faithful.  These  last  sev- 
en years  there  hath  not  one  day  passed  me,  without 
thoughts  of  death,  and  renewed  submission  to  it ;  yea,  this 
made  me  neglect  my  body,  which  should  have  served  the 
Lord,  us  if  it  hath  been  mire  in  the  street;  which  now 
troubleth  me.  That  night  when  he  died,  several  godly 
ftnd  grave  christians  were  witih  him ;  where  for  a  long  time 
he  fell  in  a  deep  silence  ;  which  ended  with  heavy  groan - 
ings  often  reiterated  :  at  last  a  christian  there  desired  to 
know  what  troubled  him  ?  but  he  refused  to  tell.  At  last 
being  urged  he  said,  I  shall  tell  you,  my  hair  stands,  to  be- 
hold what  I  see  coming  on  these  lands.  (This  was  in  the 
pear  1634.)  And  being  further  pressed,  he  said,  the  bhody 
wars  of  Germany  shall  never  be  balanced  with  the  wars  of 
these  three  kingdoms.  What  do  you  speak,  sir  !  said  one 
of  the  company.  To  whom  he  answered,  The  dead  bod  es 
of  many  thousands,  who  this  day  despise  the  glorious  gu 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  33& 

shall  lie  upon  the  earth  as  dung  unburied.  And  whilst  ask- 
ed, what  then  shall  become  of  us  and  our  posterity  ?  he 
lifted  up  his  voice,  and  said,  He  that  is  for  the  sword,  to 
the  sword ;  he  that  is  for  captiviti/,  to  captivity  ;  and  he 
that  is  for  famine,  to  famine  ;  and  God  shall  be  avenged  on 
these  lands.  And  whilst  one  said,  Is  there  no  remedy  ? 
he  cried  thiice,  No  remedy,  no  remedy,  no  remedy  !  then 
he  held  his  peace  a  little,  and  said,  /  tell  you  what  must  be : 
the  broken  covenant  of  Scotland  must  be  renewed  ;  the  for  ^ 
mality  of  Ireland  must  be  purged  :  the  prodigality  of  Eng- 
land removed  ;  and  the  sons  0/Saui  must  be  hung  up  before 
the  sun.  By  which  last  word,  none  knew  what  he  meant. 
Some  of  his  own  parish  being  present,  asked,  What  he 
would  say  to  them  ?  to  whom  he  replied,  Wo  to  thee,  Du- 
nagor  !  for  the  nettles  and  the  long  grass  shall  be  in  greater 
plenty  in  thee,  than  ever  were  people  to  hear  the  word  of 
God.  This  the  forementioned  relater  said,  he  was  a  wit- 
ness to  three  years  together  after  the  late  rebellion.  They 
asked,  if  he  would  have  his  children  ?  he  said,  No,  he  had 
done  with  them.  >  And  whilst  they  mentioned  one  of  his- 
daughters,  he  desired  to  be  foreborne,  and  said,  She  should 
see  glorious  days  after  all  this  !  and  then  takes  his  wife  by 
the  hand,  (who  having  but  a  fourth  night  lien  in  of  child, 
crept  out  of  the  bed  to  get  and  give  a  long  farewel :  to  whom 
he  said,  Thou  hast  in  faithfulness  suffered  many  things 
with  me  in  my  pilgrimage,  and  now  wherewith  shall  I  com- 
fort thee,  my  love  !  (think,  that  he  left  her  with  four  chil- 
dren, much  debt  contracted  whilst  he  resisted  a  call  to  ther 
ministry,  and  but  30  shillings  sterling  then  to  do  ail  with) 
A  father  to  the  fatherless,  a  judge  to  the  widow,  is  God  in 
his  holy  habitation.  As  God  is  God,  thou  shah  never 
want,  nor  none  of  thine :  but  in  all  the  sad  days  that  are 
coming,  you  shall  be  a  wonder  of  mercy  in  every  place 
whither  you  are  carried,  and  not  a  hair  of  your  head  shall 
fall.  Which  was  to  the  conviction  and  edification  of  ma- 
ny fully  accomplished  ;  which  the  forementioned  relater 
does  himself  also  attest,  though  with  much  humble  modes- 
ty,  because  of  his  near  relation. 

VIII.  This  passage  also  I  must  instance,  of  a  remarka- 
ble providence  to  a  grave  and  to  this  day  famous  christian 
in  our  country,  John  Steward,  provost  of  Aire  ;  who  from 
his  very  young  years  did  witness  a  respect  to  godliness. 
lie  had  a  considerable  estate  left  him  by  his  father;  but 
having  so  great  a  weight  and  impression  on  his  spirit,  of 
the  distress  and  straitened  condition  of  many  good  people 
whom  he  knew  in  the  country,  and  love  to  Jesus  Christ 
and  his  truth  having  got  the  command  over  him  and  all  his 


336  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

interests,  he  did  deliberately  call  them  (as  he  had  access) 
together  in  Edinburgh,  and  having  spent  some  time  in 
prayer,  took  their  solemn  promise,  not  to  reveal  while  he 
lived,  what  he  was  going  to  do  :  he  said,  lie  knew  in  what 
straits  many  of  them  were,  to  hold  up  the  credit  of  the  pro- 
fession, and  therefore  he  had  brought  a  little  money  to  lend 
each  of  them  ;  yet  so  as  they  should  never  oner  to  repay  it, 
til]  he  required  the  same.  This  was  not  known  until  his 
death,  that  some  of  these  found  themselves  obliged  to  make 
it. known.  Some  time  after  he  had  bestowed  this  money, 
the  plague  having  been  sore  in  Aire,  and  trade  much  de- 
cayed, he  himself  fell  under  some  straits,  and  some  of  the 
profane  in  that  place  began  to  make  it  their  boast  that  re- 
ligion  had  made  him  poor,  and  his  giving  much  to  others 
like  a  fool  had  made  him  now  want  himself :  the  profession 
and  the  credit  of  it,  was  always  this  godly  man's  darling, 
which  made  him  quit  the  country  at  that  time  ;  and  bor- 
rowing a  little  money,  he  went  over  to  France,  that  he 
might  the  better  conceal  his  strait.  When  he  came  to  Ro- 
chel,  the  salt  and  other  commodities  were  become  exceeds 
ing  cheap,  because  there  had  been  no  trading  of  a  long 
time,  on  which  he  adventured  to  freight  a  ship,  and  load 
her  upon  credit ;  he  himself  came  over  the  nearest  to  Eng- 
iand,  and  thence  to  Aire,  with  expectation  of  the  ship's  re- 
turn. But  after  long  waiting  he  was  informed  for  certain, 
that  his  ship  was  taken  by  the  Turks  ;  which  became  mat- 
ter of  great  exercise  to  him,  (not  because  he  knew  not  how 
to  be  abased,  as  well  as  how  to  abound  ;  but  fearing  lest  the 
mouths  of  wicked  men  might  so  much  the  more  on  this 
occasion  be  opened  to  reproach  the  profession)  that  for  ma- 
ny days  he  kept  his  chamber.  At  last  a  maid,  who  had 
heard  amongst  the  people,  that  John  Steward's  ship  was 
arrived  in  the  road,  came  running,  and  cried  at  the  door, 
that  his  ship  was  come  :  but  he  being  at  prayer,  could  not 
be  moved  from  his  Master's  company,  till  he  was  satisfied, 
and  then  went  forth  and  saw  it  was  a  truth.  But  as  a  fur- 
ther ground  of  present  exercise  to  him,  a  worthy  christian 
and  great  intimate  of  his,  John  Kennedy,  who  for  joy  had 
gone  forth  in  a  small  boat  to  the  ship,  was  by  the  sudden 
falling  down  of  a  storm  carried  by  the  ship,  and  in  the' 
judgment  of  all  that  looked  on,  he  and  the  boat  were  swal- 
lowed up  ;  yea,  the  storm  increased  at  that  rate,  that  they 
feared  the  loss  of  the  ship  also  :  which  did  so  deeply  affect 
this  gracious  man,  that  for  three  days  he  could  be  seen  by 
none,  under  the  weight  of  such  a  trial.  But  at  last,  having 
gone  forth  to  visit  the  widow  (as  then  supposed)  whilst  with 
that  family  they  were  m  itoally  witnessing  grief,  John  Fen- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture*  337 

fiedy  immediately  comes  in  ;  who  had  not  been  cast  away, 
but  by  a  strange  providence  the  boat  had  been  driven  a  far 
way  to  another  place  of  the  coast.  Here,  at  once  many 
mercies  did  meet ;  he  vended  the  commodities  of  the  ship, 
which  having  paid  all  his  debt,  returned  him  twenty  thou- 
sand marks  more  to  himself.  Thus  was  that  bread,  cast 
upon  the  waters,  and  to  appearance  lost,  after  many  days 
returned:  and  this  witnessed,  that  by  liberal  devices,  the 
liberal  man  doth  stand.  I  must  ado!  a  word  upon  the  death 
of  this  worthy  man.  Whilst  then  his  friends  came  to  see 
him,  he  oft  used  this  word,  Be  humble.  And  about  his 
own  case,  he  said*  I  go  the  way  of  all  flesh  ;  and  it  may 
be  some  of  you  doubt  nothing  of  my  wcllbeing  ;  yea,  I testi- 
fy ,  that  except  when  I  slept,  or  was  on  business,  I  was  not 
these  ten  years  without  thoughts  of  God,  so  long  as  I  could 
be  in  going  from  my  house  to  the  cross  ;  and  yet  I  doubt 
myself,  and  am  in  great  agony,  yea,  at  the  brink  of  despair* 
But  a  day  or  two  before  he  died,  he  turned  his  face  to  the 
wall*  from  company,  for  two  hours  :  and  then  Mr.  John 
Ferguson  came  in,  a  great  and  godly  minister  of  that  place,, 
who  asked  what  he  was  doing  ?  upon  which  he  turned 
himself,  with  these  words,  I  have  been  fighting,  and  working 
out  my  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling  ;  and  now  I  bless 
God,  it  is  perfected,  sealed,  confirmed  ;  and  all  fears  are 
gone  ! 

It  is  a  memorable  instance,  known  yet  to  many  in  the 
north  of  Ireland,  of  a  choice  and  godly  gentlewoman,  when 
the  rebellion  brake  out  there,  w ho  'fled  with  some  other 
persons  with  her  and  three  children,  one  of  them  upon  the 
breast :  they  had  not  gone  far  before  they  were  stripped 
naked  by  the  Irish,  who  to  admiration  spared  their  lives 
(it  is  like,  thinking  that  the  cold  and  hunger  would  kill 
them.)  Afterwards  going  on,  at  the  foot  of  a  river  which 
runs  into  Locheach,  others  met  them,  and  would  have 
them  cast  into  the  river.  But  this  godly  woman  not  dis- 
mayed, asked  a  little  liberty  to  pray  ;  and  as  she  lay  naked 
on  the  frozen  ground,  got  resolution,  not  to  go  on  her  own 
feet  to  such  an  unjust  death  :  upon  which  having  called 
her,  and  she  refusing,  was  dragged  by  the  heels  along  that 
rugged  way  to  be  cast  in,  with  the  rest  of  her  company. 
But  she  then  turned,  and  on  her  knees  says,  You  should  ( I 
am  sure)  be  christians,  and  men  I  see  you  are  !  In  taking 
away  our  miserable  lives,  you  do  us  a  pleasure:  but  know, 
that  as  we  never  wronged  you,  nor  yours,  you  must  remem- 
ber o  die ^  also  yourselves,  and  one  day  give  an  account  of 
this  cruelty ,  to  the  judge  of  heaven  and  earth.  On  which 
an  Irish  priest  then  present,  said,  Let  us  not  take  their 

T    T 


338  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture, 

lives  ;  but  we  will  put  them  into  this  island  of  the  lake.  A 
boat  being  at  the  river,  all  the  eight  naked  and  without 
meat  are  turned  into  that  island  :  where,  after  four  days 
staying  some  of  the  company  died  for  hunger  and  cold  ; 
but  not  this  woman,  or  any  of  her  children,  for  she  lived 
by  faith,  upon  the  word  of  God,  and  not  by  bread  only.  A 
day  after,  the  two  boys  having  crept  aside,  found  the  hide 
of  a  beast,  which  had  been  killed,  at  the  root  of  a  tree  ; 
which  the  mother  and  they  endeavoured  to  get  cast  over 
them,  then  lying  upon  the  snow.  The  next  day  a  little 
boat  goes  by,  unto  whom  she  calls,  for  God's  sake  to  take 
her  in  ;  but  they  being  Irish,  would  not.  She  desired  a 
little  bread :  they  said,  they  had  none.  Then  she  begs  a 
foal  of  fire,  which  she  obtained  :  for  she  had  seen  smoke 
in.  the  boat.  And  thus  with  some  fallen  chips  made  a  little 
lire  ;  and  the  boys  taking  a  piece  of  the  hide,  laid  it  on  the 
coals,  and  began  to  gnaw  the  leather  ;  but  without  an  ex- 
traordinary  divine  support  what  could  this  do  ?  Thus  they 
lived  ten  days  without  any  visible  means  of  help  ;  and  that 
good  woman  professed,  it  was  by  faith  and  joy  in  God, 
that  she  did  live  ;  nor  had  she  any  bread,  but  ice  or  snow  ; 
nor  drink,  except  water  ;  but  she  thought,  God  put  more 
substance  into  it,  and  found  it  as  it  were  clammy.  The 
next  day  a  boat  carried  her  out,  to  the  side  of  the  Band 
water  ;  where  she  had  yet  been  lost,  but  that  she  could 
uot  bear  to  see  her  children  die  in  her  sight ;  and  though 
the  two  boys  were  young,  and  so  starved,  that  they  had  no 
strength,  she  pressed  them  to  go  out  of  her  sight,  under 
pretence  of  their  seeking  some  fire,  and  bid  them  bend 
(heir  face  to  such  a  quarter,  where  in  that  desolate  country 
she  knew  they  could  have  no  fire  ;  yet  in  such  an  extreme 
left  room  for.  God  to  work  their  safety.  The  poor  children 
were  not  able,  and  had  not  gone  far  before  they  saw  two  or 
three  great  dogs,  eating  a  man  who  had  been  killed  ;  the 
children  were  afraid  at  the  sight  of  the  dogs  (who  needed 
not  fear  any  thing,  but  to  live  in  such  a  condition)  and  one 
of  them  came  running  and  leaping  upon  one  of  the  chil- 
dren without  doing  him  the  least  hurt,  but  fawned  on 
them,  and  would  run  a  little  before,  and  then  tarry  till  the 
children  came  up,  and  so  led  them  on  to  a  house  where 
smoke  appeared,  which  was  an  Irishman's,  protected  by 
the  English  in  Antrum,  by  whose  means  they  were  mar- 
vellously preserved,  and  the  mother  sent  for  and  succoured 
by  a  party  from  Antrum.  I  would  shut  this  passage  up 
\iflth  something  truly  observable  about  this  gentlewoman's 
husband:  who  was  a  sweet  humoured  gentleman,  and 
I'&dli/,  and  one  who  used  to  frequent  that  famous  Friday's 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  339 

meeting  at  Antrum  before  that  rebellion  brake  out ;  but 
being  ensnared  by  some  Arminians  then  in  the  ( bounds, 
the  worthy  ministers  in  that  place,  after  some  pains  taken 
on  him,  could  not  prevail.  Mr.  Blair  being  there,  had 
this  word  to  a  friend,  who  told  it  to  a  godly  minister  in 
that  place,  from  whom  1  had  this  passage,  I  am  of  opinion^ 
that  this  gentleman  shall  either  turn  penitent,  or  mad,  be- 
fore many  days.  Which  fell  out,  for  he  fell  so  furiously 
mad,  that  they  were  driven  to  the  necessity  of  binding  him ; 
and  thus  for  a  year  continued,  though  with  some  morestf- 
ber  intervals,  and  then  would  bewail  his  case.  At  the  end 
of  the  year,  being  very  furious,  he  was  taught  of  the  devil, 
[but  by  an  over  reaching  providence  of  God]  to  feign  him- 
self sober,  and  entreated  his  wife  to  be  rid  of  the  manacles, 
which  was  done  ;  and  at  the  break  of  day  rising,  he  took 
the  coverlet  of  the  bed  about  him,  and  went  with  resolution 
to  drown  himself  in  the  river :  but  when  he  was  at  the 
brink  thereof,  had  this  suggested  to  him,  He  was  a  fool  to 
drawn  the  covering,  for  it  might  be  useful,  which  made 
him  go  a  little  back,  and  lay  it  down  at  the  root  of  a  tree, 
and  then  with  full  resolution  went  to  throw  himself  in  ;  but 
this  was  suggested  to  him  again  at  the  very  brink,  Were  it 
not  best  to  pray,  before  I  die  ?  On  which  he  turned  a  little, 
and  falls  down  to  prayer ;  but  ere  he  had  done,  his  wit.  and 
judgment  was  returned,  with  peace  of  conscience,  and  as- 
surance of  pardon,  in  as  large  measure  as  ever  he  enjoyed 
these  in  his  life  ;  and  thus  he  returned  in  a  sober  frame  to 
the  astonishment  of  his  wife. 

IX.  There  is  a  strange  passage  of  judgment,,  that 
amongst  the  memorable  things  of  the  providence  of  God, 
I  think  worthy  of  inserting  ;  it  concerns  a  nobleman  in  our 
own  country  (whose  name,  with  respect  to  his  house,  I 
forbear  to  mention)  who  for  many  years  by  blood  and  cru- 
elty and  oppression  made  himself  a  terror  in  that  place  of 
the  country  where  he  lived.  One  day  his  second  son, 
who  after  succeeded  to  that  house,  by  the  death  of  his 
brother,  found  a  letter  sealed  and  directed  to  his  father, 
bearing  me  style  of  his  house,  and  without  any  suspicion 
whence  it  came,  carried  it  up  to  his  chamber  ;  which  that 
lord  breaking  open,  found  it  of  a  strange  style  ;  for  it  had 

these  words,  /  summon  you,  - to  appear  before  the 

tribunal  of  God,  and  there  answer  for  your  murders,  op- 
pressions,  &c.  Subscribitur  Diabolus.  Upon  which, 
he  being  enraged,  drew  his  sword,  to  have  run  his  son 
through,  supposing  it  a  contrived  business  by  him  ;  but  he 
escaped,  and  was  forced  for  many  months  to  withdraw 
from  the  house.      However,  upon    the   intercession  of 


340  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

friends,  his  father  did  condescend  to  admit  him  again ; 
but  that  very  day,  whilst  they  were  met  on  this  account, 
that  nobleman  washing  his  hands  in  his  bed  chamber  (and 
one  of  his  servants  by)  a  letter  from  the  roof  of  that  cham- 
ber drops  down  upon  his  hands,  sealed  and  directed  as  be- 
fore, which  being  opened,  had  the  very  sartie  words  of  the 
former  letter,  with  that  dreadful  subscription,  Diabolus. 
After  which,  by  immediate  stroke  of  the  Lord's  hand,  he 
was  struck  with  a  remarkable  iniatriation,  and  such  an  hor- 
ror and  fear  upon  Vis  conscience,  that  upon  the  appearance 
of  the  least  boy  he  would  have  fled,  and  with  howling  sought 
to  have  sheltered  himself  under  a  bed,  and  in  this  case 
shortly  died  ;  having  been  made  a  terror  to  himself,  and 
the  meanest  person  able  to  quash  him,  who  made  it  his 
work  to  be  terrible  to  others  in  his  life.  This  (far  from  re- 
flecting upon  the  house  or  family)  with  respect  to  the  hold- 
ing forth  the  holy  and  righteous  judgment  of  the  Lord,  I 
could  not  omit  to  insert  the  same,  after  some  safe  warrant 
as  to  the  certainty  thereof  from  those  1  had  ground  to 
believe. 

Seventh  witness  to  this  truth,  that  the  Lord  hath  in  so 
solemn  and  extraordinary  a  way  appeared  for  his  church  in 
these  last  times,  is  this  ;  Those  great  and  marvellous  prov- 
idences ( 'which  we  may  call  Magnalia  Dei)  by  which  he 
hath  witnessed  his  truth,  and  confirmed  the  same,  since  the 
breaking  out  of  the  gospel  in  this  late  raising  of  the  church 
from  antichrist.  For  we  may  truly  say,  there  hath  not 
wanted  a  visible  attestation  from  heaven,  and  a  convincing 
testimony  by  some  great  >vorks  of  the  Lord,  to  his  truth, 
as  well  as  in  the  primitive  times  of  the  church. 

We  do  here  understand  by  such  providences,  those 
wherein  man  cannot  but  see  something  above  nature  and 
natural  causes,  yea,  above  the  ordinary  way  of  the  Lord's 
working,  which  do  evidently  witness  his  great  and  imme- 
diate hand  ;  some  whereof  have  been  so  wonderful,  which 
can  be  instanced  in  these  late  times,  as  might  truly  be  call- 
ed miracles.  It  is  true,  this  is  not  the  Lord's  usual  way, 
neither  rnakcth  he  use  of  such  a  solemn  testimony,  but  on 
special  and  weighty  grounds;  when  the  necessity  of  the 
church  calleth  for  it ;  whilst  he  is  about  some  extraordina- 
ry piece  of  work  ;  or  when  the  gospel  cometh  first  to  a 
land  that  hath  been  long  overspread  with  darkness  ;  when 
ordinary  means  of  conviction  are  wanting  ;  or  in  times  of 
great  opposition,  when  the  commission  of  his  servants 
needeth  some  extraordinary  seal ;  in  such  a  time  as  that  of 
Ahab's,  when  the  people  are  made  to  halt  betwixt  truth, 
and  a  false  way.    Thus  we  find,  the  Lord  did  confirm  the 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  341 

first  breaking  out  of  the  gospel,  and  make  use  of  such  a 
mean  to  spread  the  christian  church  through  the  world ; 
and  should  this  seem  strange,  that  in  so  great  a  change  of 
the  church's  case  now  in  the  latter  days,,  when  he  was  to 
raise  her  up  after  so  long  a  ruin  and  desolation,  wh  il  t  an- 
tichristianism  so  many  ages  had  overspread  the  face  of  the 
world,  that  he  should  thus  appear,  and  give  some  signal 
demonstration  of  his  power  in  behalf  of  his  people,  such 
as  we  have  seen  with  our  eyes,  and  our  fathers  did  tell  us  ! 

It  is  not  miracles,  or  any  extraordinary  providence,  on 
which  men  should  resolve  their  faith  :  nor  do  we  here 
mention  these,  for  laying  stress  thereon  in  believing  the 
truth.  No,  the  protestant  doctrine  and  cause  doth  lean  on 
a  stronger  ground  :  it  can  with  confidence  appeal  the  ad- 
versary to  the  scripture,  those  divine  records,  which  they 
do  not  pretend  to  deny.  This,  even  this  is  the  reason  of 
our  hope,  which  we  offer  to  all  that  ask  for  the  same  :  and 
there  let  the  God  of  truth,  who  hath  revealed  his  will  and 
answers  men  by  the  written  word,  be  judge  ;  and  we  shall 
demand  no  greater  advantage  or  justice  at  the  hand  of  our 
enemies.  We  know,  miracles  cannot  authorize  a  lie,  or 
be  a  seal  to  any  thing  repugnant  to  the  scripture.  And 
truly  those  lying  wonders,  which  have  been  so  frequent  in 
the  world,  which  the  apostle  doth  foretell,  that  such  an  en- 
gine the  devil  will  make  use  of,  to  turn  men  aside  from  the 
truth,  besides  other  marks  of  their  falsehood,  they  have 
this  one  most  discernible,  that  they  are  the  support  and 
warrant  of  that  which  cannot  stand  with  the  word :  and 
thence  are  the  popish  miracles 'made  use  of,  to  confirm  such 
tenets,  which  of  all  their  doctrine  do  mest  directly  contra- 
dict the  scripture,  as  the  merit  of  works,  purgatory,  pray- 
ing for  the  dead,  &c.  But  as  we  will  not  boast  of  such,  as 
the  authority  or  proof  of  our  doctrine  ;  so  we  judge  it  a 
grave  and  concerning  duty,  to  observe  the  wondrous  works 
of  the  Lord  in  our  times ;  yea,  to  make  a  diligent  search 
therein,  that  we  may  tell  posterity  some  of  these  greai 
acts  of  our  God,  for  his  church,  in  bringing  her  again  from 
Babel. 

I  would  desire  to  be  very  tender  and  cautious  upon  such 
a  subject :  for  I  judge  it  horrid  divinity,  to  make  a  lie  for 
God.  It  is  not  the  truth,  but  a  false  way  which  requireth 
such  a  help.  And  truly  as  to  these  following  instances 
(which  are  but  a  few  of  many  that  might  be  brought,  if 
there  were  more  .serious  inquiry)  I  dare  attest  the  Lord, 
the  great  witness,  that  I  have  not  knowingly  set  down  here 
anything  false  ;  yea,  not  without  some  diligent  search,  and 
satisfying  grounds  about  the  certainty  thereof,    I  judge  it 


342  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

not  necessary,  to  repeat  those  which  are  so  known  already 
to  the  world  from  public  records  :  and  therefore  shall  but 
briefly  point  at  some  of  these,  and  add  a  few  more  particu- 
lar instances  of  this  kind,  which  I  may  with  some  confi- 
dence bring  to  the  light,  from  clear  evidences  of  the  truth 
thereof. 

I  shall  first  mention  that  solemn  testimony  of  Mr.  Bay- 
nam  in  queen  Mary's  time,  who  in  the  midst  of  the  fire, 
whilst  his  body  was  all  in  a  flame,  his  arms  and  legs  half 
burnt,  cried  out  to  bystanders,  0  papists,  ye  look  after  mir- 
acles :  lo  !  here  is  one.  lam  now  burning  in  this  fire,  but 
feel  no  more  pain,  than  if  I  were  in  a  bed  of  roses.  O  must 
not  this  be  called  a  miracle,  and  an  extraordinary  seal  from 
the  Lord  to  his  truth  ?  wherein  the  world  should  consider, 
this  was  the  testimony  of  one,  who  was  upon  the  borders  of 
eternity  what  he  did  declare  before  a  great  multitude  ;  at- 
tested by  Mr^fo,  that  holy  servant  of  Christ,  who  in 
things  of  that  kind  so  extraordinary  was  most  cautious,  and 
did  much  searui  out  the  truth  and  certainty  of  what  he 
sets  down,  and  by  him  was  published,  whilst  many  of  that 
time  who  might  have  been  present,  were  alive  ;  yea,  it  is 
the  more  remarkable,  the  sharp  combat  that  this  martyr 
had  through  the  terror  of  the  fire  a  little  before  his  death, 
fearing  he  should  never  be  able  to  endure  the  same. 

What  a  remarkable  providence  was  that  at  a  town  in  the 
Low  Countries,  whilst  some  of  the  saints  were  put  to 
death  by  the  popish  party,  and  among  these  one  Michael 
Bomboutius,  &  deacon  of  the  reformed  church  ?  Whilst 
they  were  going  to  suffer,  about  midday,  the  heavens  be- 
ing most  clear,  there  came  suddenly  so  great  a  darkness, 
and  so  horrible  and  unusual  a  tempest,  which  was  only  in 
that  place  and  above  that  city  discerned,  that  men  were 
generally  shaken  with  fear,  thinking  there  should  be  a  pres- 
ent dissolution  of  the  world.  Famous  Voetius,  in  that 
piece  de  signis,  doth  witness,  that  from  divers  there  pres- 
ent, even  some  of  them  popish,  he  had  this  related  to  him- 
self :  and  as  he  sayeth,  such  a  thing  papists  would  have 
with  greatest  observation  published,  as  the  very  finger  of 
God,  if  they  had  the  same  occasion. 

At  a  town  Alsa  in  West  Flanders,  whilst  a  godly  man 
whom  the  inquisition  there  had  pursued,  was  leading  to  the 
stake,  and  was  by  the  way  singing  psalms,  the  captain  of 
those  who  guarded  him,  was  so  enraged  that  he  caused 
presently  his  tongue  to  be  plucked  out  by  the  roots.  But 
lo  !  a  few  months  after,  this  wretched  man  hath  a  child 
born  with  his  tongue  hanging  out  a  gn  ;  r  way,  which  by 
no  means  could  be  kept  within  his  m6uih  I  This,  doctor 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  343 

Hall  being  himself  afterwards  in  that  town,  had  shewed 
him  from  some  who  were  most  considerable  there,  as  he 
sets  down  in  his  epistles. 

Charles  IX.  of  France,  who  was  author  of  that  horrid 
massacre,  where  the  blood  of  many  thousand  protestants 
at  Paris  and  other  parts  was  shed,  did  a  very  little  after  die 
in  the  strength  of  his  years,  by  an  extraordinary  effusion  of 
blood  from  all  passages  of  his  body,  that  as  Du  Serrcs  and 
other  French  writers  of  that  time  do  shew,  he  was  made  to 
wallow  in  his  own  blood  before  his  death.  >  O  was  not  this 
the  very  finger  of  God,  a  most  convincing  stupendous 
piece  of  his  judgment  ? 

What  an  extraordinary  providence  was  that,  which  is 
attested  by  divers  witnesses  thereto,  in  the  late  bloody  mas- 
sacre of  Ireland ;  a  young  woman,  who  by  the  Irish  was 
stripped  almost  naked,  and  after  by  one  of  them  threaten- 
ed, that  except  she  would  give  him  her  money,  he  would 
forthwith  run  her  through  ;  to  which  she  gravely  answer- 
ed, /  know  you  cannot  kill  me,  except  God  give  you  leave. 
Whereupon  he  did  three  times  with  his  sword  run  at  her 
naked  body,  but  could  not  once  pierce  her  skin  ;  which 
did  so  confound  this  wretched  man,  that  with  a  kind  of 
horror  he  went  away,  and  ceased  to  trouble  her  further. 

Did  not  God  wonderfully  appear  in  the  raising  of  the  late 
king  of  Sweden,  with  that  astonishing  success,  which  did 
attend  him  in  breaking  the  power  of  the  house  of  Austria, 
whilst  they  were  at  so  great  an  height,  and  had  their  hands 
hot  reeking  in  the  blood  of  the  protestants  through  Bohe- 
mia, and  other  places  oi  Germany  !  O  but  the  Lord's  hand 
might  be  clearly  seen  in  acting  forth  and  fitting  that  party  of 
the  Swedes,  for  such  a  piece  of  his  service,  even  in  a  more 
than  ordinary  way  ;  who,  like  that  he  goat,  mentioned  in? 
Daniel,  did  come  so  swiftly,  that  they  touched  not  the 
ground,  as  it  were  ;  but  like  a  mighty  torrent  bare  down 
all  before  them. 

The  breaking  of  that  great  Spanish  armada  in  the  year 
588,^  which  had  been  three  years  in  contriving,  did  con- 
vincingly witness  a  divine  hand  opposing  the  same.  And 
how  remarkable  was  that  issue  of  all  the  counsels,  ex- 
pense, and  cruelty,  which  Philip  II.  had  made  use  of  to 
bear  down  the  rising  of  the  gospel  in  the  Netherlands  ! 
For  it  is  notorious,  that  after  many  essays,  the  loss  of  an 
100  millions  of  gold,  with  near  400,000  lives,  the  reckon- 
ing of  all  his  gain  and  purchase  was  only  the  loss  of  a  con- 
siderable part  of  these  countries,  and  helping  forward  the 
establishment  of  the  United  Provinces.  And  truly  we 
must  say  the  Lord  did  by  his  ?reat  and  outstretched  hand 


344  The  Fulfilling  of  tic  Scripture. 

wonderfully  appear  in  raising  that  commonwealth,  so  that 
they  may^  date  their  flourishing  in  outward  interest  from 
their  owning  of  the  interest  of  God.  Religion  did  \ 
them,  and  no  people  this  day  hath  more  cause,  and  are  un- 
der greater  engagements,  to  be  zealous  for  the  truth,  and 
defence  of  the  protectant  cause. 

The  breaking  of  that  formidable  league  of  the  catholics 
in  France,  for  rooting  out  the  protestant  religion  there,  was 
very  wonderful,  how  ail  their  counsels  and  designs  should 
e  in  their  own  ruin  ;  so  that  the  most  ordinary  look- 
;  could  not  but  see  a  divine  hand  counteracting  the 
same.  Davila,  though  an  adversary,  in  setting  down  that 
hist,  t  th  a  large  account  of  this. 

What  a  great  appearance  of  the  Lord's  hand,  yea,  of  an 
extraordinary  providence,  was  there  in  the  throwing  down 
of  the  popish  Images  and  altars,  almost  in  one  night,  through 
much  of  the  I\  -ids,  which  for  so  many  hundred  years 

had  been  made  use  of  for  idolatry  ?  O  did  not  Satan  thus 
fall  as  lightning  from  heaven!  it  being  very  evident,  how 
strange  an  impulse  did  carry  out  the  people  in  this  over  all 
difficulties  or  fear  of  hazard,  what  a  wonderful  consent  and 
agreement  amongst  places  so  remote,  about  one  thing,  and 
almost  at  one  time  ;  how  quickly  also  was  it  executed 
through  these  provinces,  almost  in  an  instant  !  The  au- 
thors did  never  appear,  nor  any  noise  of  their  boasting 
thereabout  ;  and  which  was  strange,  the  magistrates  of  the 
cities  having  both  power  and  will  to  hinder,  yet  were  so 
overruled  and  struck  with  astonishment,  that  they  could 
not  resist.  And  as  Famianus  Strada,  a  great  enemy  to 
the  truth,  doth  shew,  what  fell  out  in  Antwerp,  and  other 
places,  considering  the  greatness  of  the  work,  the  multitude 
and  height  of  those  idolatrous  monuments,  it  might  have 
been  enough  for  many  days,  what  was  done  in  one  night ; 
and  yet  not  any  in  the  least  prejudiced  or  hurt  thereby, 
which  made  him  cry  out,  that  sure  this  was  the  work  of  the 
devil,  and  his  help  eminently  therein.  But*!  do  not  won- 
der, to  hear  these  in  such  a  manner  blaspheme,  whilst  they 
are  tormented  with  so  clear  a  discovery  of  God's  hand 
against  them. 

Must  we  not  here  mention  that  great  deliverance  of  the 
town  of  Ley  den  from  the  Spaniard,  with  a  special  remark, 
whilst  it  was  then,  manifest,  if  the  enemy  had  made  use  of 
cannon  in  battering  the  walls,  they  could  not  have  come 
short  of  their  design  ?  In  what  an  extraordinary  way  also 
were  the  winds  combined  to  raise  the  waters,  in  order  to 
the  town's  relief,  when  they  were  at  the  utmost  t  xtrernity  : 
yea,  for  driving  the  waters  back  again,  when  the  town 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  345 

once  delivered  ;  and  which  was  very  marvellous,  that  the 
same  night  wherein  the  Spaniards  were  forced  to  retire,  a 
part  of  the  walls  fell  down,  which  if  it  had  fallen  out  a  little 
before,  that  city  had  been  Utterly  lost,  O  was  not  this  a 
divine  hand,  which  even  the  greatest  atheists,  and  such 
who  judge  things  to  fall  out  by  change,  must  confess  ? 

What  wonderful  providences '  did  attend  the  actings  of 
that' poor  handful  of  protestants  in  the  vallies  of  Piemont^ 
for  their  necessary  self  defence  !  Mr.  Fox,  and  other  wri- 
ters, give  a  clear  account  in  setting  down  that  horrid  perse- 
cution, which  they  endured  in  the  year  1555.  I  shall  here 
only  touch  some  passages  mentioned  by  Mr.  Morland,  in 
his  history ;  who  upon  the  account  of  that  bloody  massacre, 
which  was  there  within  these  few  years,  was  then  near  that 
place,  ami  from  sure  knowledge  and  information  doth  very 
gravely  hold  forth  the  same.  And  truly  they  are  provi- 
dences so  marvellous  and  astonishing,  that  men  cannot  but 
see  the  Lord  in  an  extraordinary  way  helping  that  poor 
people,  his  acting  forth  a  few  to  do  such  exploits,  beyond 
any  thing  that  can  be  mentioned  of  those  great  heroes, 
whom  the  world  in  former  years  did  admire  ;  so  that  we 
must  say,  as  this  was  a  convincing  proof  of  the  great  power 
of  Gop,  put  forth  for  his  people,  when  help  in  an  ordinary 
way  failed,  it  Was  also  a  solemn  testimony  to  their  pause, 
and  of  the  Lord*s  approbation  of  his  peopled  standing  for 
their  own  defence,  against  the  cruelty  and  violence  of  a 
persecuting  magistrate.  We  have  there  held  forth,  how 
after  that  bloody  persecution,  by  an  order  from  the  duke  of 
Sawy,  a  small  number  was  in  a  remarkable  Way  raised  up, 
and  upon  their  first  essay  seven  or  eight  under  the  conduct 
of  that  worthy  gentleman  Joshua  Gianavel  (whom  God 
made  use  of  as  a  choice  instrument,  to  help  that  poor  scau 
tered  remnant)  was  made  to  fight  300  soldiers,  who  were 
sent  to  exercise  further  cruelty  in  that  place,  killing  many 
of  them,  and  pursuing  the  rest  for  a  considerable  time. 
After,  a  party  of  500  being  sent  by  the  marquis  o^Pianeza^ 
who  then  commanded  the  duke  ofSawy's  forces,  were 
opposed  by  eleven  of  the  protestants,  and  other  six  with 
slings  :  and  after  a  short  conflict,  were  forced  to  flee  with 
a  considerable  slaughter  ;  the  terror  of  the  Lord  upon  the 
one,  and  a  spirit  of  courage  and  resolution  in  the  other  be- 
ing very  manifest.  After  these,  there  was  another  party 
sent  forth  of  700  soldiers,  to  seize  on  all  the  passages  : 
upon  which  about  17  masters  of  families,  whose  hearts  God 
had  in  signal  manner  strengthened  to  the  battle,  for 
their  poor  brethren's  preservation,  resolved  to  cast  them- 
selves upon  the  Lord  for  the  success  of  their  undertakings, 
v  v 


346  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

and  with  such  marvellous  boldness  faced  their  adversaries^ 
as  put  them  in  amazement,  and  made  them  draw  off,  re- 
solving to  take  another  way  ;  but  were  still  pursued  by 
this  little  handful,  who  killed  many  without  the  loss  of  one 
man.  At  another  time  the  protestants  there  joining  in  a 
greater  number,  being  300  under  the  conduct  of  the  fore- 
mentioned  captain  Gianavel,  were  assaulted  by  2500  of 
the  adversaries  :  but  the  Lord  so  ordered,  that  this  little 
party  getting  the  advantage  of  the  place,  after  some  conflict 
did  force  them  to  retire,  pursuing  them  into  the  woods  and 
steep  rocks  with  great  slaughter  ;  and  thus  with  a  marvel- 
lous courage  in  a  continued  fight  for  eight  hours  together, 
did  drive  the  enemy  before  them.  Divers  other  remarka- 
ble passages  of  this  kind  are  more  at  length  mentioned  in 
that  history ;  which  the  author,  after  most  exact  search  and 
inquiry,  cloth  solemnly  attest.^  And  truly  it  might  be 
much  cause  for  wonder  (as  it  is  there  observed)  that 
through  the  Lord's  eminent  appearance,  and  his  blessing 
on  his  poor  people's  endeavours,  for  the  interest  of  religion, 
and  their  own  preservation,  they  did  in  a  short  time  dis- 
pute the  matter  with  such  a  prosperous  success,  against  all 
the  forces,  which  the  duke  of  Savoy  sent,  that  their  ene- 
mies at  last  began  to  fear  what  effect  it  might  produce  : 
and  therefore  having  no  better  game  to  play,  were  glad  by 
a  treaty  of  peace,  to  get  the  sword  out  of  their  hands ;  how- 
ever they  pretended  it  as  a  compliment,  put  on  neighbour- 
ing princes,  who  did  intercede  for  the  same. 

Wave  we  not  also  to  reckon  among  the  great  works  of 
the  Lord  in  these  last  times,  Henry  VIII.  of  England, 
most  violent  in  opposition  to  the  truth,  who  by  the  pope 
Was  styled  Defender  of  the  Faith,  upon  that  account,  and 
for  his  writing  against  Luther :  and  yet  the  same  man  shall 
be  the  instrument  made  use  of  by  the  Lord,  to  throw  down 
the  pope,  and  his  power  in  his  dominions,  and  give  some 
beginning  to  a  great  reformation  of  the  church  there. 

Vergerius,  the  pope's  nuncio,  for  many  years  in  Ger- 
many, whilst  he  is  writing  against  this  truth,  is  even  then 
converted,  and  forced  to  yield  to  the  power  of  the  same, 
turns  protestant,  and  a  zealous  preacher  of  the  gospel  to 
his  death. 

Galeae teus  Carracciolus,  an  Italian  marquis,  of  great 
pla  :e  and  estate  in  the  world,  was  so  taken  by  the  heart 
with  one  word,  hearing  Peter  Martyr,  as  made  him  quit 
not  only  all  his  hopes  of  preferment,  a  most  pleasant  place 
as  was  in  the  earth,  and  a  great  inheritance  ;  but  to  with'- 
stand  the  most  pressing  entreaties  and  insinuations  of  his 
friends,  the  weeping  cries  of  his  lady  and  children;  and  go 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  347 

to  a  strange  place,  quitting  all/that  he  might  preserve  hi* 
conscience,  and  enjoy  fellowship  with  the  church.  O  what 
a  solemn  witness  was  this  to  the  truth,  and  of  the  conquer- 
ing power  of  Christ ! 

And  in  a  word,  what  a  marvellous  thing  was  it,  that 
poor  Luther ',  against  whom  so  much  of  the  vvorld  was 
aloft  with  greatest  rage  and  violence,  should  yet  live  to  an 
Mage,  and  go  to  the  grave  in  peace  !  And  truly  the  spirit 
and  appearance  of  this  great  and  first  witness  to  the  truth, 
might  be  a  convincing  evidence,  that  ^  the  Lord  was  then 
about  to  raise  up  a  people  to  himself,  in  whom  he  would 
be  glorified,  by  an  active  testimony,  as  well  as  by  suf- 
fering. 

Besides  these  instances,  I  would  here  mention  some 
remarkable  providences,  worthy  indeed  to  be  observed, 
though  they  are  little  known  to  the  world  :  which,  we  may 
say,  do  not  only  witness  the  power  of  God,  but  are  a  con- 
vincing seal  to  his  truth,  and  the  church's  reformation  in 
these  last  times. 

It  is  a  remarkable  passage,  which  worthy  Mr.  Forbes 
sets  down  under  his  hand,  whilst  he  was  banished  for  the 
truth  ;  whose  words  are  these.  In  the  year  1607,  being 
at  Ruan  in  France,  and  meeting  with  Monsieur  Figureus, 
that  ancient  and  famous  divine,  and  then  pastor  of  the  re- 
formed church  in  that  city,  he  had  from  him  this  following 
relation.  After  the  close  of  the  council  of  Trent  in  the 
time  of  Pius  V.  there  was  a  consultation  in  Italy,  by  the 
pope  and  cardinals,  for  an  utter  extirpation  of  the  n  form- 
ed churches  in  Europe  :  and  to  this  end,  every  prince  of 
the  Romish  religion,  had  a  certain  part  assigned  where 
this  great  project  should  be  put  in  practice.  The  death  of 
Pius  V.  hindered  a  present  prosecuting  of  this  design. 
And  his  successor  Gregorins  XIII.  did  suffer  it  to  lie  dead, 
having  no  heart  that  way  ;  and  so  until  that  time  of  Clem- 
ens VIII.  it  was  not  revived  ;  but  then  this  bloody  resolu- 
tion was  of  new  ratified  by  him  and  his  cardinals,  under 
their  hands  and  seals.  The  only  difficulty  was  in  this,  to 
find  a  fit  and  trusty  person,  whom  they  should  make  use  of 
to  the  princes  of  the  Romish  religion,  for  engaging  them  to 
subscribe  the  said  ordinance,  and  set  about  the  execution 
thereof.  At  length  a  gentleman  of  good  parts,  near  in 
blood  to  the  cardinal  Baronius,  is  chosen  ;  which  to  him 
was  a  matter  of  much  grief  and  sorrow  ;  for,  unknown  to 
-■  them,  he  was  of  the  reformed  religion.  But  this  grief  in 
his  countenance  and  carriage  put  his  friends,  who  observed 
the  same,  to  strange  thoughts  ;  and  so  much  the  more, 
that  he  did  expressly  declare  to  some  of  those  who  askej 


348  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

thereabout,  that  what  to  them  seemed  a  cause  of  rejoicing, 
was  to  him  a  just  occasion  of  grief.  Yet  at  last  finding  hh 
hazard,  upon  a  bitter  challenge  from  the  foresaid  cardinal 
who  had  heard  thereof,  he  judged  it  his  wisdom  to  dissem- 
ble :  shewing  him,  his  unsuitableness  to  so  great  an  em- 
ployment could  not  but  be  ground  of  trouble  and  fear  ;  and 
so  was  some  way  forced  to  engage }  getting  his  commis- 
sions, the  decree  of  the  conclave,  with  letters  to  the  fore, 
said  princes,  sealed  and  subscribed.  But  lo  !  whilst  this 
poor  gentleman  is  on  his  journey,  having  found  ways  to 
free  himself  of  his  servants  and  other  company,  his  spirit 
was  in  great  perplexity  betwixt  these  two  grievous  temp- 
tations, either  to  be  #  instrument  of  utter  ruin  to  the  truth 
and  churches  of  Christ,  or  to  forsake  his  country,  inherit- 
ance and  all  he  had  in  the  world.  Upon  which  he  resolv- 
ed to  retire  himself  out  of  the  highway  to  an  obscure  vil- 
lage, where  for  three  days  he  gave  himself  to  fasting  and 
prayer  for  direction  and  resolution  from  the  Lord  :  and 
after  this  had  his  heart  so  strengthened  against  the  care  of 
his  worldly  estate,  that  he  resolved  to  forsake  all,  and  tore - 
veaj  this  bloody  conspiracy  to  the  churches  of  Christ,  and 
cast  himself  on  God's  hand  for  bis  future 'state.  So  that 
he  turned  his  face  from  Spain,  and  took  journey  to  France, 
and  to  Paris,  where  at  that  time  remained  the  sister  of 
Henry  IV.  a  religious  princess,  afterwards  dutchess  of  Lor- 
raine, to  whom  the  foresaid  Monsieur  Figureus  was  her 
preacher  :  and  unto  him  he  made  his  address  (though  after 
divers  refusals  of  admission  upon  suspicion)  shewing  him 
the  whole  business,  and  delivered  the  sealed  decree,  with 
his  letters  of  commission  for  that  effect ;  and  did  likewise 
shew  him  (who  was  then  astonished  at  such  a  wonderful 
providence  of  Gop,  in  fostering  some  of  his  own  children 
in  the  midst  of  Babylon,  and  that  to  so  comfortable  an  use 
for  his  church's  safety)  that  there  were  many;  others  in 
Italy )  yea,  in  Rome  itself,  of  the  reformed  religion /who 
had  their  secret  meetings,  and  even  Gregory  XIII.  before 
his  advancement  to  the  papacy,  was  thoroughly  clear  there- 
about in  his  judgment,  whereof  he  gave  him  divers  evi- 
dences. This  foresaid  relation  did  so  affect  Mr.  Forbes, 
that  he  shewed  his  marvellous  desire  to  see  that  man  who 
had  done  so  worthy  and  gracious  a  work  for  the  glory  of 
God  and  good  of  his  church;  and  by  a  recommendation 
from  Monsieur  Figureus,  he  did  afterwardsgo  of  set  pur- 
pose to  that  place,  taking  the  first  opportunity  for  Heidel- 
berg, where  this  gentleman  was  jhen  retired  for  his  further 
security,  and  honourably  entertained  by  that  prince,  where 
he  sheweth  that  he  saw  him,  and  from  his  own  mouth  re- 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  349 

ceived  the  assurance  of  this  former  narration,  to  his  great 
satisfaction  and  comfort.  This  is  the  very  sum,  which  I 
have  here  set  down  and  truly  transcribed  off  the  orig- 
inal ;  which  I  had  beside  me,  both  written,  and  subscrib- 
ed, by  Mr.  Forbes''  own  hand. 

A  remarkable  providence  I  shall  also  here  set  down 
which  was  attended  with  some  very  convincing  circum- 
stances, at  the  parliament  1621,  at  their  bringing  in  of  po~ 
pish  ceremonies  upon  the  church,  which  was  then  a  sad 
step  of  the  land's  defection  from  the  truth,  contrary  to  their 
engagements  ;  whilst  the  faithful  ministers  of  Jesus  Christ 
dt  that  time  did  with  greatest  seriousness  and  freedom  ob- 
test and  warn  those  who  were  in  power  (alas  !  that  now 
there  is  little  of  such  a  spirit  appearing)  that  they  would 
not,  to  please  men,  corrupt  the  worship  of  God :  but  the 
current  being  violent,  it  did  at  last  resolve  in  a  law.  At 
which  very  time,  whilst  the  king's  commissioner  didrise  from 
the  throne  to  ratify  thiswoful  act,  by  the  touch  of  the  sceptre, 
even  in  this  moment  of  that  ratification,  the  God  of  heaven 
sent  extraordinary  lightnings,  with  very  unusual  great  claps 
of  thunder,  and  these  followed  with  a  most  strange  and  ex- 
traordinary darkness,  which  both  for  the  suddenness  and 
greatness  of  the  same  did  astonish  and  affright  all  who  were 
present ;  and  after  all  so  violent  a  downpouring  of  rain,  as 
made  the  streets  to  run  like  a  river,  imprisoning  the  lords 
within  that  house  for  an  hour  and  an  half.  And  truly  as 
we  are  not  hereon  to  lay  stress,  or  be  peremptory  in  the  ap- 
plication of  particular  providences,  yet  this  was  so  very 
convincing,  as  should  not  be  passed  without  a  special  re- 
mark ;  considering  (1.)  How  at  that  time  many  of  the 
choice  ministers  of  the  land  were  together  near  the  town, 
at  fasting  and  pray  er ',  bewailing  before  the  Lord  such  an 
avowed  defection  from  the  truth.  (2.)  That  likewise  this 
horrid  tempest  and  darkness  appeared  to  those  who  were 
at  some  distance  to  be  most  directly  above  the  town,  the 
darkness  overshadowing  that  part  only,  and  was  not  so  in 
other  places.  (3.)  That  they  had,  by  the  instigation  of 
the  prelates,  ^war^o/  the  entry  to  the  parliament  that  day, 
lest  any  ministers  should  have  entered  a  protestation  in  be- 
half of  the  church  against  these  articles  ;  and  thus  thought 
themselves  secure  from  any  opposition  of  that  kind  :  but 
whilst  they  least  suspected,  they  are  met  with  a  more  pub- 
lic and  visible  witness  from  heaven  against  the  same. 
(4.)  Which  was  also  most  strange,  upon  the  Monday  fol- 
lowing, whilst  these  acts  were  proclaimed,  the  heavens  did 
m  the  same  manner  put  on  darkness,  with  a  most  fearful 
tempest  of  thunder,  lightning,  and  rain,  which  continued 


350  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

aU  the  time  of  their  reading  at  the  cross.  And  truly  whea 
the  Lord  thus  doubled  n is  warnings,  it  might  cry  aloud  for 
men's  observation  (hereof. 

The  breaking  of  that  journey  to  New  England,  which 
about  the  year  1636,  was  seriously   intended  by  some  of 
the  choice  ministers  and  christians  in  Ireland :  who  were 
then  much  persecuted  by  the  prelates,  though  not  from 
any  fear  of  their  own  sufferings,  but  with  a  respect   to  the 
further  liberty  to  serve  the  Lord  in  the  >vork  of  the  gospel, 
when  that  door  was  siiut  upon  them  in  their  own  country. 
This  was  truly  a  strange  and  remarkable  providence,  and 
their  preservation  in  some  kind  miraculous  :  about  which 
these  circumstances  are  worthy  to  be  observed.      (1.) 
That  whilst  their  vessel,  amidst  a  tempestuous  sea,  and  far 
from  any  land,  was  like  a  riddle  with  so  many  leaks  ;  yea, 
the  rudder  of  the  ship  breaking,  so  that  the  pilots  were  turn- 
ed wholly  hopeless,  and  could  not  see  any  ground  of  safety 
in  an  ordinary  way,  a  poor  seaman  by  a  remarkable  provi- 
dence, whose  company  they  had  much  shunned,  was  made 
the  instrument  of  preserving  the  whole  vessel,  with  a  mar- 
vellous dexterity  fastening  the  rudder  (which  others  had 
given  over)  as  one  visibly  sent  by  the  Lord  for  that  end. 
C2.)  The  strong  persuasion  that  some  of  these  worthy  min- 
isters had  of  their  safety*  which  with  great  confidence  they 
declared  before  the  passengers  ;  whilst  the  master  and 
others  were  giving  hover  as  a  hopeless  business,  and  see- 
ing a  convincing  necessity  for  a  return,  though  it  was  very 
astonishing  and  bitter  at  the  first  look,  yet  was  afterwards 
followed  with  a  clear  discovery  from  the  Lord,  as  one  of 
them  with  much  freedom  did  express  his  assurance  to  the 
rest  of  his  brethren,  that  since  the  Lord  would  not  accept 
their  service  in  America,  they  should  not  want  work  and 
set  vicex  where  he  was  sending  them  back  by  so  remarkable 
a  providence  :  as  within  a  short  time  was  evident,  the 
downfall  of  the  prelates  in  Scotland  and  after  in  Ireland, 
falling  out  shortly  upon  the  back  thereof.     So  that  it  may 
be  said,  this  was  a  convincing  presage  thereof,  the  Lord 
by  a  strong  hand  bringing  back  such  choice  and  useful  in- 
struments, for  that  great  harvest,  which  did  after  follow  : 
So  that  they  could  not  but  say,  The  Lord  did  in  a  very 
marvellous  and  immediate  way  appear  in  that  cross  wind 
and  storm  ;  and  thereby,  as  if  with  an  audible  voice,  did 
witness  his  mind  in  such  a  disappointment.     (3.)  It  was 
also  most  observable,  that  none  of  those,  who  on  the  ac- 
count of  their  consciences  (that  they  might  enjoy  the  puri- 
ty of  the  ordinances)  went  in  that  journey,  were  the  worse, 
but  had  a  safe  return  ;  only  some  persons,  who  upon  an. 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture.  35l 

other  account,  expecting  a  fat  soil,  and  outward  advantage 
in  that  place,  and  had  unexpectedly  slipped  into  the  vessel, 
did  all  die  upon  the  sea,  save  one,  being  five  in  number  : 
and  it  was  also  wonderful,  upon  their  return,  how  the  Lord 
as  he  had  stayed  the  rage  of  the  sea,  did  also  still  the  tu- 
mults of  people ;  which  they  found  by  experience,  so 
that  it  did  evidently  give  a  dash,  and  become  a  terror  to 
their  adversaries. 

I  must  here  also  set  down  a  very  singular  and  strange 
instance,  we  may  say,  both  of  judgment  and  mercy,  which 
was  in  this  land  not  many  years  ago.  A  gentleman,  whose 
style  was  JFastranv,  a  most  bloody  man,  and  otherwise 
notorious  for  profanity,  but  most  in  this,  that  it  was  his 
great  work  and  pleasure,  to  put  difference  betwixt  men, 
and  as  it  was  at  that  time  very  easy  to  engage  them  in 
blood,  whilst  he  had  thus  stirred  up  a  neighbour  gentleman 
to  kill  another  in  that  place  :  finding  him  afterwards  sore 
troubled  in  mind  thereabout,  he  told  him,  more  of  that 
practice  would  be  the  best  cure  :  for  he  himself  had  killed 
six,  and  that  the  first  time  he  was  much  disquieted,  but  the 
longer  he  did  continue,  it  became  the  more  easy.  But  one 
day,  whilst  he  was  on  such  an  account  riding  to  a  place, 
where  two  had  appointed  to  decide  a  private  quarrel  by 
fighting,  his  horse  stumbles  on  the  side  of  a  steep  rock,  and 
he  falls  a  great  way  down,  his  sword  falling  out  before  him, 
yet  without  any  hurt  :  and  here  by  such  a  strange  piece  of 
providence  did  the  Lord  step  in,  and  break  in  upon  his 
conscience,  so  that  he  quits  hisjourney,  turns  home  with 
great  trouble  and  remorse  ;  a  most  kindly  change  follow- 
ing thereon,  and  for  some  years  after  witnessed  much  ten- 
derness and  repentance  by  his  afterwalk,  spent  much  time 
alone  mourning  before  his  death.  And  that  day  he  died, 
having  no  visible  appearance  thereof  to  those  who  looked 
on,  he  was  heard  in  his  chamber  at  much  wrestling  in 
prayer  ;  and  after  long  continuance,  those  of  the  house 
were  forced  to  break  open  the  door,  getting  no  answer  after 
long  knocking  ;  they  find  him  dead  in  the  room,  but  upon 
his  knees  in  a  prayer  posture  ;  and  the  whole  blood  of  his 
body,  which  from  every  passage  thereof  had  issued  out, 
flowing  about  him  on  the  floor  ;  it  being  visible  how  all 
these  passages  were  opened  for  that  effect.  A  most  aston- 
ishing instance  !  declaring  this  to  the  world,  though  God 
pardon  the  iniquity  of  his  people,  yet  some  sins  he  will  not 
let  pass  without  a  visible  mark  of  his  anger,  but  will  take 
vengeance  on  their  inventions. 

What  an  observable  passage  is  that  also,known  to  many 
yet  alive,  about  a  notorious  robber  in  the  south  parts  of  this 


352  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

land,  called  John  of  the  Score ,  who  for  many  years, having 
driven  that  woful  trade  ;  did  one  day  rencounter  a  poor 
man  travelling  with  two  horses,  which  he  according  to  his 
custom  takes  away.  The  poor  countryman  falling  down 
on  his  knees,  did  earnestly  beg,  that  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake 
he  would  give  the  one  again,  for  he  had  no  more  to  main- 
tain his  poor  family,  but  what  he  could  gain  by  them  ;  but 
it  was  in  vain.  He  carrieth  them  home  with  him,  leaving 
the  poor  man  in  that  desolate  condition  :  but  a  little  after, 
he  turns  dumpish  and  melancholy,  could  get  no  rest  or 
quiet,  not  knowing  the  cause,  but  as  he  professed,  that 
those  words  which  the  poor  man  had  spoke  to  him  (though 
he  was  so  great  an  atheist,  that  he  understood  not  what  he 
meant  when  he  spake  of  Christ  J  were  lying  like  a  heavy 
weight  upon  his  spirit  ;  and  whilst  he  was  sought  after  for 
his  robberies,  he  desired  his  sons  to  shift  for  themselves, 
for  he  could  not  go  out  of  the  way,  there  being  a  restraint 
upon  him,  and  something  within  him  that  in  a  sort  bound 
him  from  going  out  of  the  way  :  and  thus  staid  at  his  house 
until  he  was  apprehended,  brought  into  Edinburgh ,  and 
there  put  up  in  prison.  Upon  which  a  godly  minister, 
Mr.  Henry  Blyth,  with  a  christian  gentleman,  William 
Cuningham,  tutor  of  Bonitouny  who  had  sometimes  known 
him,  make  a  visit ;  holding  forth  to  him  his  miserable  es* 
tate,  and  the  hazard  of  his  soul  (for  he  was  judged  by  the 
law  to  die)  and  amongst  other  words,  shewing  him  the  ne- 
cessity to  flee  to  Jesus  Christ,  he  doth  suddenly  break  out 
with  a  cry,  0  what  word  is  that  /  for  it  hath  been  my 
death:  That  is  the  word,  that  hath  lain  upon  my  hearty 
since  the  poor  man  spake  it  to  me  ;  so  that  I  had  no  power 
from  that  time  to  go  out  of  the  way.  And  after  being  told 
what  an  one  Christ  was,  without  whom  he  could  not  be 
saved,  he  crieth  ;  0  will  he  ever  look  to  me  !  and  shew  mer- 
cy to  one  that  for  his  sake  would  not  shew  mercy  to  that 
poor  man,  ana  give  him  back  his  horse  !  But  after  further 
instruction,  a  most  real  and  gracious  change  did  appear 
upon  him  ;  he  gave  most  convincing  evidences  of  the  real- 
ity thereof ;  attained  to  great  assurance,  before  his  death  ; 
and  upon  the  scaffold,  in  the  public  streets  where  he  was 
executed,  did  speak  so  wonderfully  of  the  Lord's  dealing 
with  him,  and  with  such  knowledge  and  judgment,  as  left 
a  conviction  on  all  present,  and  forced  them  to  see  a  truth 
and  reality  in  the  grace  of  God. 

Another  notable  instance  of  grace,  with  a  very  remark- 
able passage  in  his  condition,  I  shall  here  mention  :  one 
Patrick  Mackehvrath,  who  lived  in  the  west  of  Scotland, 
a  hose  heart  the  Lord  in  a  remarkable  way  touched,  and 


The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture;  35 3 

nfter  his  conversion  (as  he  shewed  to  many  of  his  christian 
friends)  was  in  such  a  frame,  so  affected  with  a  new  world 
wherein  he  was  entered,  the  discoveries  of  God,  and  of  a 
Hfe  to  come,  that  for  some  months  together  he  did  scarce 
ever  sleep,  but  was  still  taken  up  in  'wondering  :  His  life 
was  very  remarkable  for  tenderness,  and  near  converse 
with  God  in  his  walk  j  and  which  was  worthy  to  be  notic- 
ed, one  day  after  a  sharp  trial,  having  his  only  son  suddenly 
taken  away  by  death,  he  retired  alone  for  several  hours* 
and  when  he  came  forth,  did  look  so  cheerfully,  that  to 
those  who  asked  him  the  reason  thereof,  and  wondered  at 
die  same  in  such  a  time,  he  told  them,  He  had  got  that  in 
his  retirement  with  the  Lord,  that  to  have  it  afterwards  re- 
newed, he  would  be  content  to  lose  a  son  every  day  !  This 
one  remarkable  passage  I  would  set  down :  it  had  been 
long  his  burden,  the  want  of  memory  ±  that  he  could  retain 
almost  nothing  of  what  he  heard  from  the  word,  and  bitter- 
ly complaining  thereof  to  worthy  Mr.  James  English* 
minister  of  Daly,  his  counsel  to  him  was,  when  he  heard 
any  truth  which  he  desired  to  remember^  to  hold  it  up  to 
the  Lord,  and  desire  him  to  keep  it  for  him,  and  give  it 
him  back  according  to  his  need  ;  which  accordingly  this 
blessed  man  did  with  much  seriousness  practise  :  and  oa 
his  death  bed,  to  his  minister,  and  divers  christians  that 
were  present,  he  did  solemnly  declare,  how  wonderfully 
the  Lord  had  answered,  and  condescended  to  him  in  that 
particular.  For  as  they  knew  how  much  formerly  it  had 
been  his  burden,  the  want  of  memory,  now  the  Lord  had 
given  him  back  all  those  truths  that  he  had  put  in  his  keep- 
ing :  so  that  what  for  many  years  before  he  had  heard,  was 
now  most  clearly  brought  to  his  remembrance ;  which  he- 
witnessed  by  repeating  many  particular  truths,  and  notes 
of  sermons  which  at  such  and  such  times  he  had  heard. 

Now  to  shut  up  this-,  we  have  truly  cause  to  say,  even 
from  late  experience,  since  this  dark  night  came  upon  the 
church  in  these  nations,  with  so  sharp  a  storm  of  persecu- 
tion, there  have  not  wanted  some  very  signal  and  convinc- 
ing providences,  witnessing  the  Lord's  appearance  for  his 
people  and  against  their  enemies,  which  are  worthy  of  are- 
mark,  and  may  let  men  see  that  there  is  one  higher  than  the 
highest,  who  ruleth  ni  the  kingdoms  of  the  children  of  men. 
For  it  is  manifest, 

1.  How  eminently  the  Lord  did  appeaf  in  breaking  that 
party,  who  had  been  the  great  instruments  both  in  coun- 
cil and  action,  to  break  the  government  of  the  church  of 
Christ  in  this  land,  and  lay  so  much  of  his  vineyard  waste 
aBd  desolate,  and  this  in  the  heirht  of  their  power  and 
w  w 


354  The  Fulfilling  of  the  Scripture. 

greatness,  whilst  they  seemed  most  firmly  rooted.  O  how 
evident  was  a  divine  hand  there,  that  this  cabal,  who  made 
it  their  work  to  raise  up  prelacy ,  and  oppress  the  poor 
church,  and  like  a  violent  tempest  did  carry  all  before 
them,  in  a  moment  when  they  could  have  least  expected, 
should  be  made  to  fall ;  yea,  in  so  short  a  time  be  turned 
out  of  their  places  and  offices,  who  but  a  little  before  had 
turned  out  so  many  of  the  faithful  ministers  of  Christ  I 
And  that  great  man,  who  put  forth  his  power  and  authority 
so  much  to  turn  many  of  the  godly  of  the  land,  both  minis- 
ters and  others,  out  of  their  houses  and  families,  tossing 
them  from  place  to  place,  should  thus  be  dealt  with  from 
the  Lord,  and  recompensed  with  that  measure  ;  being 
forced  to  quit  his  lodging  once  and  again,  yea,  even  to  ban- 
ish  himself  out  of  the  country,  who  had  been  the  chief  in- 
strument  to  banish  some  of  the  most  choice  servants  of 
Christ !.  And  this  stroke  also  made  to  come  upon  them 
from  that  hand  whence  they  could  have  least  expected, 
whose  interest  they  studied  to  promote  in  opposition  to 
God's  !  I  should  desire  to  study  sobriety  and  fear  in  appli- 
cation of  the  judgments  of  God  ;  but  when  the  Lord  doth 
so  clearly  reveal  himself,  and  shew  forth  such  an  evident 
resemblance  betwixt  men's  sin  and  their  stroke,  I  think  it 
crieth  aloud  for  a  serious  observing  thereof. 

2.  Should  we  pass  without  a  remark,  so  solemn  a  wit- 
ness from  the  Lord  of  his  respect  to  his  people's  sufferings 
m  this  late  time  ?  for  it  is  known,  with  what  marvellous 
resolution  and  cheerfulness,  those  have  been  carried 
through,  who  were  called  forth  to  resist  unto  the  blood  in 
their  adherence  to  the  truth  ;  witnessing  to  the  conviction 
of  lookers  on,  even  their  greatest  enemies,  something  above 
Roman  gallantry,  yea,  something  above  nature,  in  that 
stayedness  and  elevation  of  their  spirits.  And  as  some  of 
ail  ranks  in  the  land  the  Lord  would  have  brought  forth 
to  seal  and  witness  his  truth,  and  the  work  of  reformation  : 
so  it  hath  been  also  clear,  that  none  wanted  a  large  meas- 
ure of  support  and  strength  for  the  trial,  their  suffering  still 
giving  a  further  dash  to  their  adversaries. 

.3.  It  is  also  manifest,  and  may  be  truly  matter  of  won- 
der, by  what  a  marvellous  providence  so  many  suffering 
apjd  desolate  families  have  been  carried  through  without 
any  obvious  noise  of  their  straits,  now  for  these  divers 
years,  with  such  convincing  cheerfulness  ;  yea,  the  experi- 
ence  of  many  made  to  witness,  that  they  never  less  knew  a 

trait,  than  since  they  were  put  from  the  ordinary  means  of 
tlkir  support ;  and  others  who  have  been  more  sharply 
ti-iec!,  could  not  reckon  any  such  plunging  strait  and  diffiv 


The  Fulfill"^  *f  the  Scripture.  35  J 

culty,  but  have  also  found  relief  by  some  remarkable  prov- 
idence occurring.  I  am  very  sure,  amongst  other  advan- 
tages yet  of  these  times,  this  shall  be  one,  a  large  register 
of  experience ,and  remarkable  confirmations  of  the  truth  of 
the  word  and  promise,  which  the  godly  have  had  under 
this  sharp  trial ;  that  will  be  sweet  matter  for  an  after  reck- 
oning, and  a  greater  gain  than  any  loss  their  former  suffer- 
ings  did  occasion.  Yea,  have  we  not  seen,  what  in  an  or- 
dinary way  looked  as  irrecoverable,  a  stroke  which  a  gene- 
ration could  not  have  made  up,  hath  been  a  mean  the  Lord 
hath  chosen  to  promote  his  glory ,  and  thereby  declare 
himself  to  be  God  ?  Hath  he  not  made  us  see,  how  easy  it 
is  for  him  to  turn  the  sharpest  storm  to  the  great  advantage 
of  his  church,  that  he  can  act  in  desperate  cases,  above  the 
skill  both  of  angels  and  men  ?  And  truly,  though  we  should 
be  brought  yet  more  low,  even  to  the  place  of  dragons,  this 
may  uphold  the  shaking  hearts  of  his  people,  and  be  solid 
ground  of  confidence,  that  Christ's  power  and  faithfulness  is 
this  day  engaged  for  his  church,  and  truth  !  He  must  in- 
crease, his  kingdom  is  upon  the  rising  hand,  and  shall  yet 
have  a  more  glorious  appearance  in  the  world,  whatever 
become  of  instruments;  the  reviving  of  his  work  is  not  in 
the  reverence  of  men.  And  since  we  know  the  Lord  hath 
solemnly  declared  war  against  antichrist,  and  all  who  will 
oppose  the  spreading  of  the  gospel  in  these  last  times,  yea, 
hath  passed  his  word  to  the  church  for  the  fall  and  ruin  of 
that  adversary,  fall  he  must,  though  the  dust  of  the  earth 
should  rise  for  that  end  :  and  it  is  sure  prelacy  must  also 
wither,  that  hath  its  life  and  sap  from  that  accursed  root  ! 
They  have  this  day  a  desperate  cause  in  hand,  who  do  en- 
gage their  power  to  support  the  throne  of  the  beast,  for  they 
run  in  the  way  of  the  wrath  and  vengeance  of  the  Lord,  and 
shall  surely  involve  themselves  in  that  ruin  ;  though  they 
were  the  greatest  princes  of  the  earth.  I  shall  only  add,  we 
have  much  ground  in  these  times  to  believe,  that  the  Lord 
shall  yet  appear,  and  make  himself  known  in  the  earth,  by 
as  great  and  convincing  providences,  both  of  judgment  and 
mercy,  as  in  any  former  ages,  and  thus  vindicate  his  glory, 
and  refute  the  atheism  of  this  generation,  by  such  an  argu- 
ment,  as  shall  force  iniquity  to  stop  its  mouth. 

Now  since  this  is  sure,  which  none  can  deny,  if  they 
will  but  allow  some  serious  thoughts  thereabout,  that  the 
scripture  falleth  not  to  the  ground,  for  God's  way  is  per- 
fect, and  his  word  is  tried,  Psal.  xviii.  30.  O  is  it  not 
also  sure,  and  a  conclusion  well  grounded,  that  he  is  a  buck- 
ler to  those  who  trust  in  him.  None  needs  iear  to  venture 
his  interests  through  time,  on  the  word  :  yea,  if  there 


356  Appendix. 

could  be  any  thing  greater  than  a  heaven  or  eternal  salva- 
tion, the  testimony  of  the  God  of  truth  might  be sufficient 
security  for  the  same.  It  is  a  small  matter  how  this  world 
doth  reel  and  stagger,  or  what  be  the  changes  of  outward 
things  :  That  is  enough,  the  promises  of  the  u  ord  shall  cer- 
tainly take  place,  and  the  expectation  of  the  saints  shall  not 
make  them  ashamed.  *    - 


APPENDIX. 

IT  is  sure,  the  demonstration  of  divine  truth  held  forth  in 
the  scripture,  is  the  greatest  discovery,  that  ever  came 
to  the  sons  of  men  :  which  with  a  more  excellent  light  and 
greater  lustre,  doth  enlighten  those  parts  of  the  earth,  on 
which  it  shines,  than  the  sun,  in  its  noonday  brightness. 
This  \s  the  nvord  of  fife,  even  the  hidden  wisdom  of  God  in  a 
mystery  ;  which  most  of  the  world,   do  not  understand, 
but  flee  from  the  same,  as  their  plague  and  torment  ;  but 
hereby  the  followers  of  God  know  they  are  of  the  truth,  and 
do  assure  their  heart  before  him.     It  should  be  matter  of 
astonishment,  if  thus  the  scripture  were  not  confirmed,  to 
see  what  rage  the  breaking  out  of  this  light  eauseth  amongst 
men  ;  which  now  in  the  present  time  does  in  a  strange 
manner  appear,  not  against  some  particular  truth  only,  and 
the  uppermost  boughs,  but  by  a  remarkable  assault  .seems 
to  strike  at  the  root,  the  very  being  of  truth  and  godliness. 
It  may  be  said,  whilst  superstition  in  times  of  greater  igno- 
rance, did  overcloud  and  darken  the  visible  church,  athc- 
?sm  hath  taken  up  its  room,  to  wear  this  generation  out 
from  under  the  awe  of  God,  and  weaken  their  assent  to  the 
truth  :  for  we  see  men  every  where  making  it  their  work, 
to  load  his  way  with  reproach,   and' put  discredit  on  his 
faithfulness,  who  is  the  God  of  truth.     As  a  witness  there- 
to is  this  smallessay  directed,  and  now  again  comes  forth 
to  the  world  with  an  enlargement ;  which  I  may  say,  was 
not  intended,  if  there  had  not  been  a  pressing  motive  from 
rhe  incorrectness  of  the  first  impression  ;    and  for  this  I 
shall  make  no  further  apology.     But  if  a  subject  of  so  great 
an  import,  suffer  no  prejudice  from  such  an  unfit  pen,  the 
favourable  testimony  of  men,  or  their  censures,  I  should 
desire  to  look  on  (as  they  are  indeed)  at  a  distance,  and  far 
below  that  solid  peace  of  the  soul,  which  in  the  acceptation 
ofGoo  is  alone  to  be  found.     Whavaccess  it  may  have  to 
many  of  this  generation,  I  know  not,  who  are  taking  all  ad- 
vantage to  strengthen  their  prejudice  against  the  truth,  and 


Appendix,  357 

unsettle  others  therein  ;  it  is  like,  such  may  pass  their  judg- 
ment thereon  at  the  first  look,  and  throw  it  aside.  Bnt  as 
a  minister  of  Jesus  Christy  who  believes  an  appearing  be- 
fore the  Judge,  and  would  desire  mercy  to  be  found  faithful 
in  that  day,  being  pressed  in  some  measure,  upon  the  hor- 
rid appearance  of  the  atheismand  blasphemy  of  the  time, 
with  that  avowed  indifferency  now  within  the  visible 
church,  in  these  great  interests  of  religion  and  godliness,  I 
lay  this  witness  to  the  truth  at  their  doer  :  and  shall  here 
offer  a  few  thoughts  further  on  this  subject,  in  some  clear 
inferences  from  that  great  truth,  the  verification  of  the 
scripture. 

Inference  I.  Which  we  may  see  clear,  is  this,  the  great 
advantage  a  christian  hath  for  his  establishment :  that  his 
security  is  indeed  greater  than  his  interest,,  or  any  thing  he 
hath  to  adventure  thereon  ;  and  sure,  that  is  not  small ; 
since  the  matter  is  of  no  less  earnest  .(besides  his  concern- 
ments through  time)  than  an  eternity,  a  heaven,  or  the  haz- 
ard of  hell  for  ever.  This  must  require  a  solid  and  sure 
foundation,  yea,  we  may  judge,  the  furthest  degree  of  cer, 
tainty,  where  the  superstructure  is  so  great:  for  it  is  not 
opinion,  or  a  probable  conjecture,  can  be  a  suitable  basis,  to 
bear  up  that  weight.  But  here  to  answer  such  an  interest 
and  give  thorough  quiet  and  repose  to  the  soul,  we  have 
the  truth  and  testimony  of  God,  with  this  great  witness 
thereto,  that  it  assuredly  takes  place,  and  not  one  syllable 
falls  to  the  ground,  without  an  evident  performance. 
There  are  two  things,  which,  I  am  sure,  men  could  not 
with  such  ordinary  thoughts  consider,  yea,  nor  think 
thereon  without  amazement,  if  they  made  it  not  their 
choice,  to  keep  at  u  distance.  One  is,  that  such  a  thing  is 
in  the  world  this  day  as  the  very  IVordofGod,  that  is  more 
sure  than  an  audible  voice  from  heaven,  to  declare  his 
iv hole  counsel,  and  hold  forth  unjo  men  the  true  way  up  to- 
wards  that  country  ;  and  does  thus  marvellously  discover 
itself,  (1.)  To  come  so  low  down,  even  his  word  and  tes- 
timony who  speaks  from  heaven,  that  therewith  it  hatha 
solemn  appeal  to  men's  sense  and  feeling  about  its  certain- 
ty. (2.)  Which  commends  itself  upon  the  nearest  ap- 
proach, and  is  found  the  more  invaluable  and  of  the  greater 
price,  the  more  it  is  searched  into  by  an  inquiry.  (3.) 
That  though  clear  and  plain  in  itself,  yet  by  a  supernatural 
light  and  evidence  can  pnly  be  known,  which  no  human. sa- 
gacity nor  reason  in  its  highest  elevation,  without  this, 
can  reach  :  but  riseth  far  above  the  greatest  capacity  and 
endowments,  of  which  by  nature  the  most  excellent  spirits 
of  men  can  boast.    In  a  word,  when  once  it  shines  in  upon 


358  Appendix. 

the  soul,  does  then  discernibly  stamp  the  very  same  image 
thereon,  and  begets  sueh  a  marvellous  likeness  betwixt 
them,  as  may  show  the  world  this  is  a  living  thing.  But 
there  is  a  second,  we  may  also  consider  with  astonishment, 
how  great  it  is,  to  be  a  christian,  and  of  what  marvellous 
import  that  is.  I  suppose,  there  were  but one  or  two  such, 
to  be  found  in  the  world,  who  were  certainly  known  to  be 
partakers  of  the  divine  nature,  to  have  a  real  converse  with 
God,  and  (by  experience)  with  the  word  ;  might  not  the 
report  thereof  give  men  a  strange  alarm  ?  yea,  put  them 
upon  an  impatient  search  and  inquiry,  to  know  if  this  be 
sure,  and  what  such  a  discovery  means  ?  O  is  it  small  to 
be  the  son  of  a  kin?  /  But  the  hope  and  claim  of  a  christian 
riseth  higher,  and  hath  another  reach  ;  that  such  within  a 
short  time,  whilst  now  in  so  mean  a  garb,  shall  be  assured- 
ly entered  into  glory,  in  the  immediate  enjoyment  of  God, 
and  of  the  fulness  of joy,  among  that  triumphant  society  of 
the  angels,  the  prophets,  and  apostles,  and  all  those  who 
are  before  the  throne,  washed,  and  made  white  in  the  blood 
of  the  Lamb,  and  thus  continue  through  the  ages  of  eterni- 
ty ;  yea,  in  that  very  instant  of  the  soul's  quitting  the  bo- 
dy, must  admit  so  great  a  change,  and  enter  there,  where 
heaven  only  can  make  us  know  what  heaven  is  !  It  is  sure- 
ly a  strange  sleep  men  are  in,  who  in  such  concernments 
are  not  awaked  to  a  further  inquiry.  It  were  well,  if  some 
would  but  allow  reason  its  true  use  (whilst  they  travel  be- 
twixt the  poles,  and  can  adventure  to  the  furthest  parts  of 
the  earth  to  pursue  that  which  they  must  so  shortly  forego) 
to  judge  seriously  and  bring  the  thoughts  of  this  near, 
what  a  greater  interest,  and  at  a  more  easy  rate,  and  of  an 
inexpressibly  greater  value,  than  that  gold  and  treasure, 
which  ever  came  from  the  Indies,  does  offer  itself !  I  say 
the  professed  atheism  of  some  gives  not  more  cause  of  won- 
der, than  the  strange  stupidity^  of  others,  and  that  common 
and  easy  way  men  have  in  giving  an  assent  to  divine  truth  : 
I  do  not  mean,  from  the  want  of  evidence  and  perspicuity, 
but  because  of  the  greatness  of  the  things  h°re  held  forth. 
This  was  not  so  strange,  that  we  find  two  of  the  disciples  of 
Christ  at  a  stand,  from  joy  and  wondering,  to  credit  his  res- 
urrection, even  whilst  they  saw  it  verified  ;  so  great  was 
this  in  their  eyes.  Now  to  this,  I  must  further  point  at  two 
or  three  things,  which  seriously  considered,  may  seem  a 
strange  contradiction  to  reason.  (1.)  How  men  can  find 
a  pillow  to  rest  on,  who  certainly  know,  their  ireafh  (for  . 
these  few  hours  in  the  night)  is  not  made  sure  ;  but  if  by  a 
bidden  arrest  of  death  it  should  be  stopped,  which  is  no 
sUaage  thing  in  the  world,  they  know  not  what  is  next  ; • 


Appendix.  5$9 

but  every  night,  sleep  at  an  adventure  of  being  ere  the 
next  day*,  in  an  irrecoverably  lost  estate  !  Yea,  is  not  here 
cause  of  wonder,  that  whilst  we  see  time  make  such  swift 
dispatch,  dying  men  can  be  in  that  measure  estranged 
from  the  thoughts  of  death  ;  who  so  oft  may  hear  it  sound, 
and  the  bell  ringing  for  others,  yea,  by  previous  assaults? 
discern  its  approach  on  themselves^  which  once  come,  then 
man  goes  off  the  stage,  to  return  no  more,  nor  shall  he  for 
all  the  ages  of  eternity  ever  act  that  scene  of  life  here 
over  again.  (2.)  How  strange  it  is,  that  the  supposal  of 
the  truth  and  certainty  of  the  scripture,  that  such  a  thing 
may  be,  does  not  more  alarm  men,  and  mar  their  quiet ; 
or  that  they  can  so  much  as  think  of  an  eternal  estate  with- 
out trembling,  whilst  they  are  at  no  solid  determination  in 
such  a  matter  :  yea,  when  the  scripture  of  Gon  does  not 
only  witness  a  heaven  and  immortality,  but  shews  the 
world,  there  is  such  a  thing  as  the  first  fruits  and  earnest 
of  it ;  whereof  men  here  may  be  fully  assured.  I  would 
know,  if  such  an  atheism  is  to  be  found,  that  puts  the  athe- 
ist beyond  fear  and  doubting  even  in  his  most  professed 
confidence,  and  scoffing  at  the  truth ;  or  can  sufficiently 
salve  that  heart  aching  and  continued  hesitation  he  is  under, 
that  such  a  thing  may  be  true.  (3.)  I  shall  add.,  it  is 
matter  of  wonder,  men  should  admit  the  report  and  attesta- 
tion of  other s,  about  the  truth  and  reality  of  godliness,  who 
yet  live  strangers  to  it  themselves  ;  yea,  should  be  at  some 
toil  and  pains,  and  come  a  length  to  be  almost  christians \ 
without  pursuing  this  in  greater  earnest. 

Inference  II.  Which  from  the  scripture's  accomplish, 
mem  is  clear,  is  this,  that  there  is  a  special  debt  on  each 
christian,  on  whose  soul  the  truth  and  faithfulness  of  Gor> 
is  sealed,  to  give  in  his  seal  thereto,  and  bear  witness,  that 
God  is  true.  Thus  is  there  a  mutual  sealing,  which  is  un- 
deniably clear,  you  see  f2  Cor.  i.  22.)  the  Lord's  putting 
to  his  seal,  which  by  all  his  people  is  well  known  :  and 
have  you  not  also  {.John  iii.  33.)  the  christian's  seal  and 
witness  most  expressly  held  out  and  called  for  ?  This  is  in- 
deed a  duty,  in  which  (we  may  say)  the  meanest  of  the 
saints  bears  his  part,  who  hath  that  witness  within  h'nnself 
whereby  he  knows  the  certainty  of  the  words  of  truth  ; 
which  is  a  great  thing,  that  such  on  solid  ground  can  say. 
He  does  not  more  clearly  see  the  truth,  written  in  the  bible 
before  him,  than  he  knows  andean  read,  (but  by  another 
character  and  engraving)  this  written  within  him  ;  though 
none  else  can  read  the  same,  but  he  who  hath  it.  I  know, 
there  is  a  debt  to  the  least  scripture  truth,  which  those  who 
profess  the  same   rid  owe.  when  a  witness  and  co~f«" 


360  Appendix. 

is  called  for,  and  hath  thus  special  access,  in  a  suSeri'ngJ 
time,  to  set  to  his  seal  by  a  close  adherence  thereto.  But 
we  must  say,  this  is  something  else,  that  concerns  the  con- 
firmed christian,  as  a  peculiar  debt  he  owes  to  the  truth 
and  faithfulness  of  his  God  (which  his  soul  knows  right 
well,  and  hath  had  oft  confirmed)  to  give  unto  him  the  glo- 
ry of  his  faithfulness  ;  we  find  David  ( Psalm  lxxxix.  1.) 
thus  speaking,  as  one  pressed  upon  such  a  duty.  And 
though  some  have  a  more  special  call  and  greater  advan- 
tage to  this  than  others  ;  yet  we  may  say  the  confirming 
and  sealing  of  the  truth  is  like  a  great  and  public  treasure, 
wherein  the  meanest  christian  wants  not  access  to  cast  in 
his  mite.  Now  for  further  clearing  this,  what  the  chris- 
tian''s  seal  and  attestation  of  the  truth  means,  and  what  ac- 
cess or  advantage  he  hath  for  acquitting  himself  of  such  a 
debt,  1  would  point  a  little  at,  in  these  few  particulars. 
(1.)  It  is  clear,  that  he  who  believes,  and  receives  the  testi- 
mony of  Jesus  Christ,  does  thus  set  to  his  seal,  that  he  is 
true,  and  subscribes  (as  it  were)  the  truth  and  doctrine  of 
the  gospel.  John  iii.  33.  (2.)  It  is  also  clear,  the  shew- 
ing forth  of  the  power  of  godliness,  and  the  virtues  of  him 
who  hath  called  him,  is  through  the  tract  of  a  christian^ 
life,  a  living  and  visible  witness  thereto.  (3.)  We  may 
judge  the  converted  man  upon  that  new  and  marvellous 
discovery,  he  hath  got  of  the  truth,  upon  his  first  entering 
into  a  christian  state,  when  he  hath  passed  that  great  step, 
and  is  as  one  come  into  another  world,  hath  then  a  special 
call,  and  advantage  for  such  a  duty,  that  if  it  were  asked. 
What  is  the  first  service  he  owes  to  the  truth  ?  Is  it  not 
even  this,  to  commend  by  his  seal  and  testimony  to  others^ 
what  God  hath  so  marvellously  commended  to  bis  soul  ? 
And  thus  needs  not  want  access  to  let  the  world  know, 
who  may  wonder  at  such  a  change,  that  though  once  he 
was  blind,  he  does  now  see  ;  and  assuredly  knows,  the 
truth  is  the  power  of  God  to  salvation,  which  he  no  more 
believes  upon  the  report  and  testimony  of  others,  since  now 
he  sees  it  with  his  own  eyes.  He  then  is  to  answer  that 
call,  Luke  xxii.  When  you  are  converted,  strengthen  your 
brethren.  (4.)  When  a  christian  is  confirmed,  upon  some 
remarkable  fainting  and  staggering, and  hath  got  a  new  seal 
of  the  faithfulness  of  God,  is  he  not  under  some  new  debt, 
to  restore  with  advantage  what  he  had  taken  from  the  cred- 
it of  the  truth,  and  give  that  good  report  and  witness  there- 
to, which  majr  obviate  any  reflection  he  might  have  caused 
by  his  f  tinting  ?  Sure  it  is,  the  christian's  testimony  hath 
then  this  special  advantage,  to  confirm  others  in  the  way  of 
the  Lord,  that  his  former  fears  and  shakings  have  been  so* 


Appendix,  361 

discernible.     Thus  we  see,  Hezekiah  after  such  a  remark- 
able plunge  and  fainting,  comes,  in  with  his  witness,  Isa. 
xxxviii.  15.  What  shall  I  say  ?  He  hath  both  spoken,  and 
himself  also  hath  done  it,  Sec.     And  David,  PsaL  xxxL 
22.     How  concerned  was  he  in  such  a  duty,  /  said  I  ant 
cast  out  of  thy  si  got  ;  yet  thou  hearedst  the  voice  of  my  sup* 
plication.     (5.)   When  we  see  atheism  much  abound,  and 
hath  a  public  appearance,  when  it  is  not  a  particular  truth, 
but  the  truth  and  faithfulness  of  God  is  challenged,  we  may 
judge,  it  then  calls  and  calls  aloud  to  the  godly  man,  for  his 
appearance,  even  by  some  more  obvious  testimony,  than 
at  other  times.,  to  so  great  an  interest.     Sure  it  is,  when  the 
lot  of  a  christian  is  in  such  a  time  cast,  and  amongst  a  gen- 
eration of  mockers,  he  will  not  want  access  and  a  special 
call,  by  a  christianly  grave,    and  prudent  witness,  to  own 
the  truth,  as  that  which  he  is  obliged  to  seal,  though  there 
were  none  else  ;  yea,  we  may  think,  this  should  be  a  call 
and  incitement,  where  2eal  for  Jesus  Christ  hath   got  a 
command  over  his  soul,  as  might  burst  his  tongue  strings 
which  before  were  tied,  when  the  faithfulness  of  his  God> 
which  he  so  oft  hath  proved,  is  by  men  brought  in  ques- 
tion :  which  to  David  was  like  a  sword  that  thrust  him 
through,  and  he  could  not  bear  it  when  they  said  unto 
him,  Where  is  your  God?  (6.)  Upon  the  close  of  some 
sharp  and  remarkable  trial,  when  the  christian  after  a  storm 
comes  safe  to  land,  such  a  new  discovery  he  hath  of  the 
truth  andfaithfulness  of  God,  lays  then  a  new  debt  on  him, 
tobear  witness  thereto.     Is  he  not  thus  concerned,  not  to 
leave  the  cross  of  Jesus  Christ  at  a  loss,  which  hath  left  him 
at  so  great  an  advantage  ?  or  part  therewith  without  such  a 
testimony,  that  may  endear  the  way  of  the  Lord  to  others  ? 
Thus  afflicted  Job,  after  along  continued  storm,  comes  in 
the  close  to  pay  the  truth's  rent,  by  his  seal  and  testimony 
thereto.     Job  xlii.  I  have  heard  of  thee,  Sec.     I  hope,  this 
debt,  in  a  large  measure  shall  be  yet  found  on  many  of  this 
generation,  when  this  storm  is  over,  to  press  their  spirits 
for  bearing  such  a  testimony,  that  they  thirsted  not  when 
he  led  them  through  the  deserts :   but  have  oft  there  been  ' 
surprised  with  his  immediate  help,  to  astonishment.  Isa. 
xlviii.  21.     (7.)  Is  not  the  experience  of  a  christian  and 
those  grave  remarks  he  hath  of  the  faithfulness  of  God,  a 
special  trust  put  into  bis  hand,  and  a  piece  of  his  talent,  that 
calls  for  his  seal,  as  a  rent  which  such  owe  to  the  truth  ; 
-    1  should  have  some  further  reach,  than  his  own  personal 
establishment  ?  I  must  say  as  to   this,   none  of  the  saints 
want  their  peculiar  engagements,  which  they  may  judge 
**e  upon  them,  even  beyond  others  ;    yea,   such  singular 
x  x 


36c2  Appendix. 

confirmations  they  have  had  of  the  way  of  the  Lord,  and 
oft  with  those  astonishing  circumstances,  that  to  smother 
the  same,  without  some  gain  and  advantage  thence  paid  in 
to  the  truth,  might  be  reckoned  a  stealth  from  the  genera- 
tion. We  may  judge,  such  a  thing  pressed  David's  soul 
for  a  vent,  Psal.  Ixxj.  16.  And  truly  something  of  this 
practice,  managed  with  humble  prudence,  in  a  grave 
intercourse  and  communication  of  some  special  confirma- 
tions of  the  truth,  were  a  choice  improvement  of  christian 
society  and  fellowship.  I  confess,  to  manage  this  well, 
seems  one  of  the  most  difficult  pieces  of  duty,  a  christian 
owes  to  others  ;  and  I  humbly  judge,  may  be  mistaken,  in 
its  chief  end  by  too  much  dwelling  sometimes  on  the  cases 
of  a  christian,  and  debating  these,  to  which  their  light  and 
judgment  may  give  more  arise,  than  a  present  pressure  and 
weight  of  the  same  ;  the  multiplying  of  which  I  have  oft 
looked  on  as  a  darkening  the  solid  and  plain  way  of  godli- 
ness, and  making  it  perplexed  and  thorny,  which  lies  in 
little  bounds,  when  well  understood.  But  we  see  what  a 
special  improvement  of  christian  fellowship  is  held  forth, 
Mai.  iii.  Id.  for  their  mutual  joy  and  establishment  in  the 
truth,  in  a  time  when  it  was  in  question  ;  what  advantage 
there  is  to  serve  the  Lord.  I  should  wish  so  excellent  a 
means  were  more  directed  to  this  end  :  nor  should  this  hin- 
der such  a  duty,  that  there  may  be  an  empty  show  and 
counterfeit  of  that  also,  and  the  shallowest  brooks-some- 
time make  the  greatest  noise.  (8.)  Here  is  a  special  call 
for  the  christian's  seal  and  witness  to  the  truth,  under  some 
remarkable  exigence  and  strait^  whilst  thronged  with  mani- 
fold temptations,  then  is  he  concernedby  his  appearance  to 
e,hew  forth  the  faithfulness  of  God,*  and  his  testimony 
thereto  ;  that  may  let  others  know,  who  in  such  times  will 
be  great  observers  of  his  way,  that  he  is  satisfied  with  God, 
and  with  the  security  of  his  word,  to  rest  on,  when  he  hath 
no  resting  place  elsewhere  :  that  he  thinks  not  his  burden 
too  great,  to  roll  over  on  the  promise  ;  but  hath  this  to  say, 
in  behalf  of  the  truth,  Persecuted,  yet  not  forsaken  ;  cast 
down,  yet  not  destroyed.  You  may  see  the  apostle  paying 
such  a  debt  on  this  account,  Having  nothing,  I  possess  all 
things,  2  Cor.  vi.  10.  (Lastly)  1  must  say,  a  call  to  this 
waits  the  christian  in  a  special  manner,  at  the  close  of 
.//.  Then,  O  then,  is  he  concerned  to  acquit  himself 
L  debt,  by  commending  the  way  of  the  Lord,  and  con- 
finrting  others  therein.  Would  it  not  be  a  choice  appen- 
dix to  the  testament  and  last  will  of  a  dying  christian,  to 
'nh  \\\b  Lth  die  faithfulness  oj  God  ;  and  then 

w  htfi  his  words  are  of  more  weight  than  at  other  times,  to 


Appendix.  363 

bear  this  witness,  that  through  the  various  steps  of  his  life 
he  knows  God  is  true,  and  hitherto  hath  helped.  It  is  sure, 
the  present  day  has  its  duty,  and  each  remarkable  time  of 
one's  life  hath  some  proper  work  :  but  this,  I  must  say, 
seems  to  fall  in,  as  the  last  service  of  a  dying  christian  to 
his  generation,  to  deliver  the  truth  off  his  hand,  which  he 
had  received  and  oft  proved,  with  his  seal  and  testimony 
thereto  :  this  were  to  bequeath  a  choice  legacy  to  others. 
It  is  not  here  understood,  that  particular  rules  can  be 
given  for  the-practice  of  this  duty  ;  but  christian  wisdom  is 
profitable  to  direct,  as  occasion  offers,  and  the  present  case 
is  circumstanced.  But  sure  it  is,  each  christian  is  thus  a 
witness,  and  as  it  were  judicially  assisted  in  behalf  of  that 
attribute  of  the  faithfulness  of  God,  to  attest  by  his  seal,  as  a 
confirmatory  sign  thereof,  that  God  is  true  ;  and  as  there  is 
an  implicit  seal  by  believing,  there  is  something  more  ex- 
plicit then  called  for,  in  times  which  seem  to  evacuate  the 
promise,  when  the  reality  oj  godliness  is  so  expressly  im- 
pugned by  the  adversary  as  fanaticism.  And  these  things 
I  shall  further  add  ;  (1.)  That  through  the  whole  scripture 
we  see  in  frequent  instances,  how  much  the  saints  have 
been  thus  taken  up,  and  in  those  times  of  the  church,  when 
there  was  not  Such  access  another  way,  to  keep  up  a  je- 
membrance  of  the  faithfulness  of  God,  and  transmit  3 
testimony  thereto,  we  find  a  pillar  and  stone  of  witness 
erected,  1  Sam.  vii.  12.  (2.)  Thus  hath  the  christian  ac- 
cess, in  the  returns  of  thankfulness  to  God ;  no  mercy  be- 
ing  so  small,  on  which  his  faithfulness  is  not  engraven,  as 
we  find  David  often,  and  Jacob,  Gen.  xxxii.  10.  And 
sure  it  is,  the  discovery  of  this  to  an  observing  christian 
hath  sometimes  a  greater  joy  and  satisfaction  therewith. 
than  the  mercy  in  which  it  appears.  I  must  say,  it  is  a 
great  defect  in  that  excellent  duty,  when  some  testimony 
to  the  faithfulness  of  God  is  not  carried  on  therewith. 
(3.)  Hath  not  the  christian  an  occasional  call  thereto,  when- 
ever this  liesjn  his  way,  to  speak  to  its  credit,  and  bear  his 
witness  ?  We  may  see,  the  truth  and  faithfulness  of  God 
came  never  David's  way,  but  we  find  him  speak  honoura- 
bly thereof,  from  the  sense  of  his  peculiar  engagements. 
(4.)  There  is  no  piece  of  a  christian's  suffering  staled  on  a 
particular  truth,  but  a  confession  is  therewith  called  for  of 
the  faithfulness  of  God ;  thus  to  bear  witness  before  t'c 
world,  mat  he  is  not  of  ended,  nor  is  ashamed  of  the  cross 
of  Christ,  because  he  knows  whom  he  hath  believed  ;  whilst 
others  by  choosing  sin,  rather  than  affUcnon,  uo  what  in 
them  lieth  to  make  God  a  liar. 


364  Appendix. 

Inference  III.  From  the  scripture's  accomplishment,  is, 
this,  that  as  there  is  a  personal  debt  on  the  christian,  there  is 
a  public  debt  also  on  the  church,  and  a  special  trust  repos- 
ed on  every  age  thereof,  to  seal  the  truth,  and  deliver  that 
great  interest  off  its  hand,  to  the  ages  to  come,  with  a  wit- 
ness to  the  faithfulness  of  God.  The  scripture  herein  is 
clear;  yea,  we  have  it  in  an  express  prophecy  field  forth, 
( 'Psalm  cxlv.  4,  5,  6.)  that  one  generation,  in  a  continued 
series,  should  seal  the  truth  to  another,  and  thus  carry  for- 
ward a  witness  to  the  same.  For  each  time  hath  some  pe- 
culiar rent,  which  it  should  pay  to  the  posterity,  from  a 
new  addition  of  the  great  and  remarkable  works  of  the 
Lord  :  and  it  is  sure,  the  greater  things  he  hath  witnessed, 
by  his  more  eminent  appearance  for  the  church,  in  one  age 
beyond  another,  do' add  to  this  debt,  and  put  some  further 
engagements  upon  it,  to  record  and  transmit  the  works  of 
the  Lord  and  the  memory  of  his  goodness  to  after  times. 
Now  with  respect  to  this  weighty  truth,  I  would  offer  a 
few  particulars  (which  this  day,  we  may  sadly  regret,  are 
so  much  wanting)  wherein  something  of  this  debt,  that  one 
age  of  the  church  owes  to  another,  in  behalf  of  the  truth, 
may  appear. 

]..  It  may  be  judged  a  debt  on  the  church  to  posterity,  to 
pursue  that  great  interest  of  the  truth,  by  an  adding  further, 
for  confirming  of  the  faith  of  the  saints  therein,  from  that 
discovery  and  peculiar  advantages  the  present  time  affords 
and  thus  effectually  endeavour  to  advance  the  repute  and 
credit  of  the  truth,  on  solid  demonstrative  grounds  of  its 
certainty.  This  hath  the  greater  call,  when  it  is  so  much 
the  work  of  the  time,  and  of  not  a  few  labouring  therein,  to 
shake  and  unsettle  men,  as  to  this  great  foundation:  yea, 
so  much  written,  that  hath  a  visible  tendency  to  this  end. 
(One  thing  particularly  should  be  wished,  that  the  public  re- 
cords  of  every  age,  as  they  concern  the  church,  did  carry 
therewith  more  clearly  some  history  of  the  verification  of 
the  truth,  by  transmitting  those  great  and  conspicuous  re- 
marks of  the  way  of  God  with  the  church,  to  posterity  ;  by 
which  the  scripture  then  hath  been  signally  confirmed  : 
thus  should  one  age  declare  its  faithfulness  to  the  next, 
which  were  a  choice  piece  of  service,  being  gravely  and 
with  caution  managed. 

2.  This  debt  does  the  church  owe  to  posterity,  with  re- 
spect to  the  truth,  to  endeavour  its  transmitting  purely, 
and  without  hurt  and  prejudice.  For  it  is  to  the  church, 
the  oracles  of  God  are  committed  ;  and  for  that  great  trust 
must  she  in  every  time  be  responsible.  But  as  to  this,  I 
must  say,  that  article  of  the  truth  of  God,  which  is  more 


Appendix.  56S 

sharply  assaulted,  and  hath  endured  greatest  opposition 
from  the  adverse  party,  makes  this  debt  the^  greater,  to  de- 
liver that  off  her  hand,  with  all  care  and  circumspection^ 
yea,  with  some  peculiar  testimony  thereto.  It  is  true, 
there  want  not  in  every  age  some  to  appear  upon  the  truth's 
interest ;  yea,  it  is  a  duty  lies  at  each  christian's  door,  when 
called  to  give  a  confession  of  the  same  ;  but  as  no  private 
appearance  can  answer  to  a  public  record  and  monument, 
it  is  thence  clear,  that  in  a  time  of  great  encroachment  on 
the  truth,  when  a  remarkable  breach  is  like  to  be  made, 
and  the  assault  not  from  a  private  adversary,  but  a  public 
formidable  combination  of  a  party,  some  more  solemn  au  - 
thoritative  and  united  concurrence  is  then  called  for,  in  the 
church's  testimony,  for  her  exoneration  ;  that  with  such  an 
advantage  may  witness  to  the  ages  to  come,  whereat  their 
fathers  left,  how  they  held  out,  and  wrestled  to  keep  their 
ground,  in  defence  of  the  gospel.  This,  we  may  say,  is 
like  the  casting  up  of  a  bank  to  guard  against  a  further 
breach,  when  the  enemy  comes  in- like  a  flood :  and  it  is 
•known,  the  confessions  of  the  church  in  every  age,  with 
such  a  public  testimony  to  the  truth,  whilst  followed  with 
visible  hazard  and  suffering,  have  been  more  effectually 
subservient  to  the  truth's  conservation,  than  all  the  disputes 
of  men.  Thus  did  they  overcome  {Rev.  xii.  I.J  by  the 
blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  the  word  of  their  testimony. 

3.  This  special  debt  also  is  upon  the  church,  with  a  re- 
spect to  posterity,  to  contend  for  the  truth  once  delivered  to 
the  saints,  and  but  once,  since  it  can  admit  no  change  or 
alteration  to  the  second  coming  of  the  Lord.  O  how  bless- 
ed a  debate  and  strife  this  is,  though  in  such  an  interest  re- 
sisting unto  blood  should  be  called  for !  But  whilst  I  men- 
tion this  duty,  it  cannot  be  understood  with  respect  to  that 
great  interest  of  religion  only,  or  the  weightier  matters  of 
the  law,  that  are  more  fundamental,  whilst  under  a  profess- 
ed zeal  to  these,  a  latitude  and  indifferency  in  other  con- 
cernments of  the  truth  is  sheltered.  It  is  indeed  strange, 
though  no  strange  thing  in  this  time.  But  let  me  ask,  can 
a  piece  of  truth  held  forth  in  the  scripture,  be  of  that  low 
value,  to  warrant  the  quitting  or  yielding  up  of  it  if  brought 
in  a  debate  ;  when  one  line  of  this  is  of  more  inestimable 
worth,  than  the  crowns  and  sceptres  of  all  the  monarchs  of 
the  earth  ?  Sure  it  is,  the  God.  of  truth  hath  prized  it  at 
another  rate  ;  who  declares  heaven  and  earth  should  rather 
fall,  ere  one  tittle  of  his  word  perish.  And  can  those,  in 
greater  things  be  faithful,  who  are  not  thus  in  alittje  ?  It  is 
too  clearly  seen,  how  small  a  yieldingmakesa  great  breach. 
Truths  comparatively  small  may  be  great  in  their  season. 


266  Appendix* 

when  tliey  are  the  word  of  his  patience  ;  yea,  we  may  say, 
the  lesser  it  seems,  and  of  mean  value  with  many,  it  makes 
the  christian's  adherence  thereto  a  greater  testimony.  It 
is  clear,  what  a  close  concatenation  there  is  among  the 
truths  of  God,  held  forth  in  the  scripture  ;  that  one  part 
thereof  cannot  be  struck  at,  without  a  special  prejudice  to 
the  whole  ;  yea,  it  may  be  said,  every  corruption  of  the 
truth  hath  an  aim  at  the  very  soul  of  religion,  by  a  direct 
tendency  thereto. 

4.  It  h  a  great  duty  the  church  owes  the  posterity,  for 
which  this  day  there  seems  a  more  than  ordinary  call,  to 
study  the  transmitting  of  truth  and  godliness,  not  in  a  naked 
form  only,  but  in  the  life  and  power  thereof  Sure  it  is  now 
too  obvious,  which  gives  ground  both  for  grief  and  aston- 
ishment, that  through  a  large  part  of  the  reformed  church, 
and  in  those  places  where  sometime  the  truth  hath  brightly 
shined,  with  much  state  and  uarmness;  yea,  where  re- 
ligion in  its  purity  is  yet  professedly  countenanced,  and  the 
worship  of  God  owned,  even  there  we  may  see  the  power 
and  spirituality  of  this  is  a  strange  and  unknown  thing  ; 
that  by  many  within  the  church  and  of  some  repute  there- 
in, it  might  be  questioned,  Is  there  indeed  a  Holy  Ghost, 
and  an  inward  teaching  of  the  spirit,  which  by  its  working 
and  efficacious  influences  is  known  upon  the  soul  ?  Or,  is 
there  such  a  thing  as  real  fellowship  and  converse  with  God, 
in  the  secret  and  the  more  public  duties  of  a  christian, 
that  is  assuredly  found  ?  Oh  what  cause  is  there  to  fear, 
the  shadow  and  form  will  be  quickly  gone,  when  the  power 
thereof  is  so  great  a  mystery  !  I  know,  it  is  a  sore  chal- 
lenge, and  may  seem  strange  to  some.  I  do  here  profess, 
it  is  not  to  reflect  on  any  place,  or  particular  church,  more 
than  another.  But  we  may  say,  this  want  and  decay  is  too 
great  and  universal  to  be  hid  ;  and  now  the  tide  seems  so 
far  spent  and  gone  back,  yea  to  a  small  appearance  of  its 
return,  and  the  chureh  of  Christ  at  that  pass,  that  if  the 
faithfulness  of  God  were  not  surety,  which  stands  good  for 
all,  we  might  upon  ordinary  appearance  judge,  nothing  else 
is  left,  but  now  To  your  tents  every  man  !  that  each  one 
should  shift  for  himself,  and  give  over  the  church.  But 
sure  I  am  (I  bless  the  Lord,  without  debate  in  this  matter) 
upon  a  better  warrant  than  appearance,  our  safety  is  this 
day  to  keep  by  the  vessel,  and  not  part  interests  with  an  af- 
flicted and  almost  sinking  church  ;  &  public  spirit  may  yet 
be  found  the  choicest  way  to  secure  a  private  interest.  Oh 
what  do  we  see!  Is  not  almost  every  where  .m?n*s  hands 
upon  their  loins  ;  and  so  little  inquiry  in  that  crrcme  ex- 
igence, what  point  of  duty  can  yet  be  essayed,  to  gctrelig- 


Appendix.  *  367 

ion  up  again,  which  now  is  at  so  sore  a  backset  !  We 
might  hope,  a  great  outcoming  should  be,  where  little  is 
expected,  even  upon  a  small  stirring  of  duty.  Some  things 
I  am  sure,  arc  to  be  wished,  that  would  be  of  singular  use 
to  promote  this  interest :  which  I  shall  very  briefly  point  at. 
First,  It  should  be  wished,  this  great  mean  of  prayery 
yet  left  to  the  church,  were  with  more  singleness  and/ifr- 
*oency  improved,  both  by  the  christian  alone,  and  in  con- 
verse with  others.  This  is  well  knowa,  in  the  most  dark 
and  dismal  times  of  her  condition,  what  marvellous  help  it 
hath  brought  at  an  extremity,  when  it  hath  seemed  in  some 
manner  idtimus  conatus  ecclesia,  and  all  other  things  gone. 
O  a  spirit  of  prayer,  what  advantage  hath  remarkably  fol- 
lowed upon  this,  to  fetch  the  wind,  yea,  to  get  the  vessel  as 
it  were  put  on  float,  when  it  hath  been  a  low  ebb  with  the 
church  !  to  hasten  her  delivery,  and  in  the  mean  time 
keep  her  wounds  bleeding  before  the  Lord  !  We  may  say, 
thus  hath  the  meanest  of  the  saints  access  to  do  a  great 
piece  of  service,  even  to  the  church  universal,  and  the  re- 
covery again  of  the  power  of  godliness,  that  is  now  so  far 
gone. 

2.  With  respect  to  this,  it  is  to  be  wished,  that  a  greater 
correspondence  through  the  reformed  church  were  more  ef- 
fectually pursued ;  to  know  others  case,  what  eminent 
hazard  appears  to  the  truth,  or  sore  trial  and  assault  that 
some  particular  church  may  have  bejrond  others  ;  for  wit- 
nessing mutual  sympathy  ;  for  communication  of  coun- 
sels ;  the  obviating  prejudices  and  mistakes  ;  a  grave  in- 
citement and  upstirring  of  others,  to  the  duty  of  the  time  ; 
ami  thus  a  farther  concurrence  endeavoured,  in  promoting 
the  great  interest  of  the  gospel.  Oh  sad,  that  since  the  re- 
formation brake  up,  so  little  of  this  hath  been  practised  ! 
but  now  much  more  gone,  that  except  by  ordinary  iramel- 
lers,  or  some  time  public  gazettes,  the  great  concernments 
of  the  neighbouring  churches,  and  the  more  remarkable 
©ccurrences  of  providence  therein,  are  but  little  known.  I 
should  account  it  a  token  for  good,  if  something  of  a  public 
spirit,  with  respect  to  such  a  mean,  did  more  appear.  We 
know  not  what  advantage  might  follow  this  essay. 

3.  This  should  be  wished,  and  might  be  a  notable  and 
useful  help,  yea,  of  no  great  difficulty  (now  whilst  there  is 
such  plodding  in  religion,  by  airy  notions,  as  if  that  great 
interest  were  the  essay  of  men's  wit  and  invention)  to  stu^ 
dy  the  translating  of  some  of  our  choice  English  pieces,  in 
other  languages,  which  do  most  nervously  hold  forth  the 
truth  of  godliness,  both  in  its  simplicity,  and  in  the  life  and 
poner  thereof,    S  .  .        sire  most  fit  to  put  men  on  another 


368  Appendix. 

scent,  for  bringing  the  naked  speculation  of  truth  down  to 
that  more  near  feeling,  and  absolutely  necessary  soul  con- 
verse therewith  ;  yea,  such  as  with  greatest  clearness 
night  shew  the  world  something  of  the  inestimable  advan- 
tage of  that  excellent  study,  how  well  godliness  suits,  and 
is  a  singular  help  in  every  calling  and  condition  of  men,  to 
make  their  way  easy  and  pleasant,  amidst  the  plunges  of 
their  life  :  but  especially,  that  may  hold  forth  the  indispen- 
sable necessity  thereof.  It  is  sad  to  think  in  what  a  meas- 
ure excellent  holiness  is  wounded,  and  darkened  by  so 
great  a  cloud  of  prejudice,  almost  through  the  reformed 
church,  which  is  much  pretended,  upon  the  extravagance 
and  unsuitable  practice  of  many  professing  the  same,  and 
yet  so  little  care  to  obviate  and  prevent  this. 

4.  1  must  further  add  what,  I  am  sure,  is  to  be  wished, 
when  so  small  ground  seems  of  hope  therein,  and  calls  now 
for  much  prayer,  to  see  a  spiritual  and  faithful  ministry , 
given  to  the  church  ;  of  whom  it  might  be  said,  these  are 
the  ambassadors  of  Jesus  Christ,  with  their  Master's  au- 
thority impressed  on  them  ;  who  in  earnest  do  travail  in 
birth,  to  have  Christ  formed  in  their  hearers,  and  preach 
with  a  feeling  of  that  they  speak,  to  themselves,  as  well  as 
others  ;  such  who  truly  watch  for  men's  souls,  with  an  aw- 
ful impression  of  that,  lest  their  blood  be  required  at  their 
hands.  How  great  a  blessing  should  this  be  to  a  decayed 
church,  and  what  a  ground  of  hope  were  it  of  a  recovery  I 
For  it  is  seen  and  clearly  witnessed,  that  connexion  which 
is  betwixt  the  church's  case,  and  the  ministry  thereof. 
Was  it  not  seen  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  gospel,  and  the 
marvellous  success  it  had  in  the  beginning  of  the  reforma- 
tion after  that  long  darkness  under  antichrists  reign,  how 
choice  and  excellent  a  ministry  was  then  sent  forth  ;  yea, 
what  a  remarkable  constellation  of  great  lights  did  appear, 
who  did  both  burn  and  shine  in  their  time.  Oh  !  these 
are  gone  ;  and  but  a  few  (comparatively  with  that  time) 
of  such  a  spirit  now  to  be  found  :  but  this  sad  remark  we 
cannot  shun,  that  the  greatest  plague  the  christian  world 
and  much  of  the  reformed  church  this  day  is  under,  is 
from  the  watchmen ;  by  whom  the  truth,  in  its  power,  hath 
been  more  wounded,  than  its  most  professed  adversaries. 
I  know,  there  wants  not  such  a  horrid  party  in  this  time, 
who  take  advantage  to  reflect  on  and  decry  that  excellent 
office  and  appointment  of  Jesus  Christ  for  his  church,  be- 
cause of  the  abuse  thereof ;  whom  I  dare  not,  from  the  awe 
of  God,  answer  in  their  dialect,  which  is  only  railing,  and 
is  ail  their  strength  :  but  the  Lord  rebuke  that  evil  spirit, 
now  abroad  in  the  worJc!  !  Whilst  I.  speak  to  that  ^'(-nt  ad* 


Appendix.  369 

vantage,  the  church  and  the  power  of  religion  hath  by  a 
faithful  ministry,  I  must  further  add  this,  as  a  debt  the  pres- 
ent generation  owes  to  the  posterity,  to  witness  a  particu- 
lar care  and  respect  to  such  who  are  looking  forth  with 
some  aim  to  this  great  calling  ;  that  in  so  saddening  a  day 
these  might  be  encouraged  and  stirred  up  (I  mean  where 
there  is  some  promising  appearance)  to  follow  their  aim, 
and  not  faint,  when  elifficulties  seem  togrow  in  their  way, 
and  the  sickle  now  taken  out  of  the  hand  of  many  faithful 
labourers  ;  but  especially  for  their  taking  along  with  other 
studies,  that  more  excellent  study,  sanctifi 'cation ,  which  is 
so  indispensably  necessary  to  make  able  ministers  of  the 
ATtiv  Testament.  Sure  those  have  now  a  special  advantage 
to  witness  their  love  and  respect  to  Jesus  Christ,  who  keep 
their  face  that  way  forward,  when  there  seems  no  other  in- 
citement, but  the  service  of  such  a  Master  J  They  may 
have  a  mean  appearance,  and  at  this  day  conflict  with  many 
difficulties,  on  whom  great  service  may  yet  wait  for  the 
church  of  Christ. 

Inference  IV.  It  is  a  duty  of  special  use,  with  respect  to 
a  right  understanding  and  distinct  conception  of  the  fulfill- 
ing of  the  scripture,  to  discern  the  times K  and  inquire  seri- 
ously thereabout :  since  it  is  clear,  that  in  particular  ages 
and  periods  of  time  the  scripture  must  take  place,  and  the 
prophecies  thereof,  which  relate  to  each  period  of  time, 
have  their  particular  and  exact  accomplishment  therein. 
It  is  sure,  this  can  be  no  matter  of  debate,  that  such  a  duty 
is  called  for  in  so  dark  an  hour  upon  the  church  ;  yea,  the 
greater  the  darkness  grows,  it  seems  to  have  a  more  press- 
ing  call ;  when  we  see  the  clouds  gathering,  that  they  are 
like  to  cover  the  face  of  the  sky  ;  the  church  universal  so 
sore  benighted,  that  she  hath  almost  lost  her  way  amidst 
these  mists,  and  among  the  multitude  of  these  bypaths  : 
for  then  it  is  not  only  incumbent  on  the  public  watchmen, 
but  we  may  say,  concerns  the  godly  every  where,  to  be  on 
this  account  seers,  to  know  the  times,  and  what  Israel  ought 
to  do.  Sure  it  is,  no  christian  wants  his  watch  tower, 
where  he  may  get  up,  by  a  near  converse  with  God  in  the 
scripture,  and  thence  as  from  a  great  height  consider  the 
present  time  ;  yea,  have  a  clear  view  of  the  most  strange 
perplexing  occurrences  thereof,  how  amidst  these  his  work 
about  the  church  keeps  its  way,  and  moves  still  forward, 
without  losing  of  ground,  and  his  truth  does  convincingly 
take  place. 

Now  with  respect  to  this  I  shall  here  offer  some  thoughts, 
what  in  so  necessary  a  duty  concerns  the  godly,  and  calls 
for  their  serious  inquiry,  for  a  right  discovery  and  under- 

v   Y. 


370  %  Appendix. 

standing  of  the  time;  and  shall  shortly  touch  it  in  a  few 
particulars. 

First ,  It  is  of  great  import  to  know  from  the  scripture, 
V) bat  of  the  night  it  is,  how  far  it  seems  to  be  spent,  and 
now  /';;  what  wnpch  thereof  the  church  is  fallen,  as  to  her 
present  state.  For  thus  we  might  know  to  what  period  of 
her  condition  these  great  and  remarkable  things,  which  fall 
out  in  the  world,  do  relate.  This,  1  confess,  would  be  a 
perplexed  business,  if  the  appearance  of  things  were  our 
guide,  and  wanted  that  blessed  conduct  of  the  written 
word,  when  the  church's  way  seems  involved  in  so  strange 
a  labyrinth.  One  tiling  is  sure  that  the  Lord  hath  founded 
Zion,  and  is  now  building'  her  up  :  which  marvellous  work 
cannot  halt,  but  in  all  ages  is  in  a  continued  progress, 
wherein  the  great  builder  doth  lose  no  time.  And  from 
the  scripture  these  things  seem  clear  and  manifest, 

1.  That  as  the  whole  election  must  obtain,  so  now  are 
there  a  great  many  of  that  elect  church  already  entered  in- 
to  a  triumphant  condition,  and  are  now  got  safe  on  shore. 
There  is  this  day  a  great  and  innumerable  company  of  all 
nations,  tongues  and  languages,  that  were  of  old  commit- 
ted to  the  Mediator's  trust,  and  to  be  brought  forth  under 
the  times  of  the  New  Testament,  who  are  perfected  and 
before  the  throne  ;  after  whom  the  gospel  did  follow,,  and 
made  many  a  long  step  to  bring  them  in  from  the  furthest 
corners  of  the  earth. 

2.  This  also  is  clear,  that  the  church  militant  hath  now 
passed  and  is  gone  through  that  long  continued  and  most 
dismal  trial,  which  under  the  times  of  the  gospel  and  until 
the  close  of  time  was  to  go  over  her  head,  even  that  sore 
bondage  from  antichrist,  and  under  his  reign.  It  is  true, 
tins  adversary- does  not  cease,  nor  give  over  the  quarrel  : 
for  he  wants  not  wrath,  when  his  power  is  abated  ;  and 
this  day  we  see  him  in  a  great  stir,  to  raise  up  that  accurs- 
ed interest,  and  set  it  in  its  own  place,  that  hath  so  remark- 
ably been  brought  down,  and  begun  to  fall  before  the  gos- 
pel. But  a  step  further  of  that  judgment  (which  assuredly 
is  not  sleeping  J  will  end  the  business.  However,  this  is 
now  manifest,  that  the  winter  is  past,  and  the  church's 
spring  begun,  yea,  in  a  large  measure  advanced ;  whose 
growth  and  tender  blossom  the  cold  nor  storm  cannot 
blast,  but  must  be  subservient  thereto,  and  hasten  the 
summer's  approach. 

3.  Upon  this  inquiry,  where  the  church  now  is  ?  and  in 
what,  or  what  manner  of  time,  her  present  state  seems  to 
fall  ?  I  think  there  are  clear  and  convincing  symptoms, 
by  which  some  notable  crisis  in  her  condition  may  be  dis- 


Appendix.  271 

cerned  ;  that  after  many  conflicts,  and  sore  wrestling, 
since  her  victory  begun  over  antichrist,  this  time  of  the 
church  seems  to  fall  under  that  more  remarkable  assault, 
which  may  be  looked  for  from  this  adversary  before  the 
pouring  out  of  the  fifth  vial  on  his  throne  and  seat ;  which, 
as  the  prelude  of  so  great  a  victory,  may  in  some  pro- 
portion thereto  be  more  dreadful  and  sharp,  for  a  time,  than 
any  we  have  seen.  I  humbly  judge,  the  scripture  points 
clearly  at  this,  which  shews  the  wrestling  condition  of  the 
church  and  a  war  continued  betwixt  antichrist  and  the 
Lamb,  even  in  his  failing  state,  (Rev.  xvii.  14.)  until 
that  last  decision  (which  is  made  sure  in  the  church's  fa. 
vour)  put  him  off  the  field  ;  For  the  Lamb  shall  overcome, 
and  they  that  are  on  his  side,  who  are  called,  and.  chosen  ana 
faithful.  And  since  it  is  thus,  that  the  church's  interest  is 
advanced,  by  the  renewed  assaults  of  that  adversary,  should 
it  be  strange,  that  the  several  steps  of  her  rising  have  some 
conflict  and  opposition  proportioned  thereto  ?  Must  she 
not  be  in  pain  and  labour,  as  a  woman  in  travail,  for  her 
bringing  forth  ?  Yea,  do  not  the  sharpest  showers  both 
presage  and  hasten  the  delivery  I  For  this  doth  the  scrip- 
ture witness,  which  i3  written  for  the  ages  to  come,  Micah 
iv.  13.  Be  in  pain,  0  daughter  of  Zion,  and  go  forth  unto 
Babylon,  for  there  shalt  thou  be  delivered.  1  must  judge, 
so  formidable  an  approach  of  antichrist  this  day,  and  the 
advantage  he  seems  to  have,  with  these  sore  smugglings  of 
the  church  of  Christ,  as  in  an  extreme  betwixt  life  and 
death,  do  more  promise,  than  threaten  ;  and  are  a  hopeful 
presage  ofi  further  enlargement,  and  the  bringing  forth 
some  great  nd  important  truth  in  its  season  to  a  perform- 
ance ;  yea,  have  a  direct  tendency,  under  the  wonderful 
conduct  of  the  blessed  disposer  of  these  things,  to  help  for- 
ward such  a  mercy. 

4.  This  we  may  know  from  the  scripture,  though  now 
it  seem  a  contradiction  both  to  sense  and  reason,  that  the 
churches  interest  is  on  a  present  advance,  and  at  this  day  on 
the  prevailing  hand.  It  is  true,  under  all  the  changes  of 
her  condition,  and  through  the  whole  time  of  the  New 
Testament,  this  truth  must  be  made  out  (John  iii.  30.) 
that  Jesus  Christ  in  his  kingdom  must  increase  even  when 
choicest  instruments  wear  out,  and  to  appearanee  are  in  a 
most  languishing  decay  ;  that  interest  doth  then  flourish  as 
the  palm  tree,  the  more  it  is  depressed  ;  nor  hath  the 
church  bounds  set  to  its  continued  increase,  until  it  once 
come  to  the  perfect  day  when  the  kingdom  shall  be  deliver- 
ed up  to  the  Father,  and  all  powers  subdued  and  brought 
under  the  Mediator's  feet.     But  this  rise  and  increase  of 


372  Appendix. 

the  church,  which  is  here  understood,  on  the  falling  of  an- 
tichrist, I  must  say,  hath  a  further  reach,  and  is  in  a  more 
eminent  conspicuous  way  pointed  at  in  the  scripture,  as 
that  which  waits  on  a  more  solemn  and  remarkable  period 
of  the  church's  state.  It  is  true,  such  hours  may  fall  in, 
with  some  sad  intervals,  in  which  success  and  all  advan* 
tage  appears  on  the  adversary's  side  ;  for  thus  we  find  the 
scripture  point  forth  antichrist's  ruin,  and  the  progress  of 
his  judgment  and  downcasting  in  the  various  steps  there- 
of, with  a  special  resemblance  to  the  Lord's  way  with  Pha- 
raoh ;  of  whom  he  appears  to  have  been  a  type,  such  ju- 
dicial strokes  of  induration  on  both,  a  gradual  procedure 
by  one  plague  after  another,  with  the  same  effect  and  pro- 
duct, to  give  the  church  a  new  assault,  on  any  favourable 
interval ;  until  the  great  God  make  his  power  known,  as 
once  he  did  at  the  Red  Sea.  For  there  we  may  say,  did 
the  Lord  first  found  a  national  church,  with  a  special  type 
of  the  great  works  and  deliverances  he  would  do  for  her  in 
after  times,  and  by  this  represent  that  marvellous  stroke  he 
is  to  bring  on  antichrist.  It  is  not  strange,  to  see  the  truth 
brought  down  to  the  grave,  yea,  as  it  were  buried,  when 
even  this  thing,  by  the  overruling  providence  of  him  who 
maketh  all  things  work  together  for  her  good,  is  turned  to 
her  advantage,  and  tends  to  her  rising  with  a  greater  lustre 
and  brightness  !  Who  could  in  an  ordinary  way  judge  the 
reformed  church  then  upon  an  advance,  in  the  French  mas- 
sacre, the  catholic  league  there,  and  the  Low  Country  per- 
secution by  Aha  ?  Yet  these  were  an  antecedent  prepara- 
tion to  her  further  rise,  which  a  little  time  made  appear. 

5.  This  further  I  shall  add  as  to  the  present  time  of  the 
church,  which  from  the  scripture  seems  clear,  that  blessed 
and  much  longed  for,  and  glorious  day  of  the  secofid coming 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  (which,  as^  the  last  period  of  the 
full  accomplishment  of  all  that  is  written,  will  once  for  all 
and  for  ever  put  a  glorious  close  to  the  church's  warfare  ; 
the  soldier's  sword  and  helmet  shall  then  be  laid  aside,  and 
give  place  to  the  victor's  harp  and  crown,  never  to  be  laid 
down  again)  hasteth  apace.  O  let  him  who  writeth,  and 
him  who  readeth,  say,  even  so  !  come,  Lord  Jesus,  quickly. 
It  is  sure,  that  God  who  hath  appointed  man  his  time,  and 
with  whom  is  the  number  of  his  months  and  years,  hath 
set  time  its  glass  also,  and  bounded  the  duration  of  this 
world,  that  it  cannot  continue  one  minute  more  ?  And 
though  the  particular  time  falls  not  under  our  inquiry, 
which  the  majesty  of  God  hath  concealed  from  the  angels  : 
yet  is  this  clear,  there  are  signs  given  of  its  near  approach, 
Which  in  their  season  will  be  discernible,  though  little  no- 


Appendix.  2TA 

ticed  by  the  world  ;  it  being  in  such  a  lethargy,  and  men 
then  so  thronged  with  the  cares  of  this  life,  that  these  grave 
fore  warnings  will  not  rouse  them  up.  But  it  is  evident, 
such  signs  are  not  given  in  vain  :  for  therewith  the  church 
hath  a  call  to  discern  wisely  what  appearance  there  is  of 
the  approach  of  that  day  ;  yea,  on  such  an  account  to 
lift  up  their  head  with  a  solemn  congratulation.  O  what  a 
marvellous  truth  is  this,  the  serious  thoughts  of  which 
might  give  men  new  subject  for  wonder  each  day,  that  the 
time  is  hastening,  when  the  Redeemer  of  the  church  shall 
appear  in  the  clouds  of  heaven,  inflaming  fire,  with  an  in- 
numerable company  of  the  angels  ;  and  now  the  dust  of 
the  saints  hath  not  long  to  sleep,  before  they  be  awaked, 
with  that  unspeakable  sweet  and  ravishing  sound  of  the 
last  trumpet !  Faithful  is  he  who  hath  promised:  yea,  for 
further  assurance,  we  have  a  solemn  oath  thereto,  by  him 
who  lives  for  ever  and  ever.  It  is  long  since  John  gave 
this  warning  to  the  church,  Behold,  he  cometh  with  clmds  ! 
and  then  did  these  primitive  christians  solace  themselves 
on  that  ground.  Some  few  evidences  of  this  day's  approach 
with  a  safe  warrant  from  the  scripture  we  may  discern  ; 
which  as  the  blossoming  of  the  spring  doth  witness  the 
summer  is  novy  near.  (  (1.)  If  the  whole  days  of  the  gospel, 
since  that  glorious  triumph  of  the  Mediator  in  his  suffer- 
ing for  the  church  and  his  resurrection,  be  upon  the  scrip- 
ture's reckoning  the  last  times,  we  must  then  judge,  the 
night  is  far  spent,  and  the  day  at  hand.  (2.)  If  in  the  days 
of  the  seventh  trumpet  the  mystery  of  God  shall  be  finish- 
ed, is  not  this  clear,  that  two  ages  are  almost  past  since  it 
begun  to  blow,  under  which  the  interest  of  the  gospel  hath 
a  most  remarkable  advance  ?  (3.)  If  the  last  stroke  and 
utter  abolishing  of  antichrist  sha1}  be  by  the  brightness  of 
Christ's  second  coming,  (2  Thess.  ii.  8.)  is  there  not  solid 
ground  thence  to  judge,  this  blessed  day  hasteth,  when  his 
falling  is  so  far  advanced  ?  It  is  sure,  we  have  seen  his 
kingdom  in  a  great  measure  darkened,  his  consuming  and 
mouldering  down  by  the  breath  of  Christ's  mouth  in  the 
preached  gospel  :  and  now  wait  in  hope  for  that  more  re- 
markable step  of  his  judgment,  which  the  scripture,  I  think, 
gives  as  a  near  sign  of  the  coming  of  the  Lord  ;  even  such 
as  the  white  sky  and  morning  brightness  is  to  the  watch- 
man, of  the  day's  being  near.  And  thus,  as  we  see  the  ru- 
in and  downfall  of  the  man  of  sin  advance,  there  seems  to 
be  a  proportional  ground  of  certainty  thence  to  conclude 
the  near  approach  of  the  day  of  Christ's  second  coming. 

Second  particular,  which  in  our  discerning  the  time  calls 
for  a  serious  inquiry  is  this,  what  the  present  appearance 


374  Appendix. 

and  signs  of  the  time  seem  to  point  at.  For  these,  as  the 
pulse  to  the  body,  are  of  special  use  to  give  a  clear  discor^ 
cry  of  its  temper  and  disposition  !  but  this  is  a  prognostics- 
tion,  that  goeth  above  the  stars  and  all  the  rules  of  astrolo- 
gy,  which  the  scripture  only  can  make  us  know.  I  con- 
fess, this  day  they  seem  sad,  and  every  where  look  with  a 
threatening  aspect  on  the  church.  We  see  not  n§w  our 
signs,  and  those  tokens  for  good,  which  sometimes  have 
appeared  :  but  there  are  presages,  if  we  could  gravely  look 
thereon,  that  might  cause  us  with  astonishment  to  inquire, 
What  can  such  things  portend,  and  when  will  be  the  end 
of  these  wonders  ?  Some  few  I  shall  briefly  point  at,  which 
concern  this  time  ;  that  if  we  be  not  much  asleep,  might 
be  very  rousing,  and  make  us  regard  the  same  with  an  aw- 
ful and  humbling  impression  ;  for  they  truly  threaten. 
Yet  I  must  say,  with  a  reference  to  the  scripture,  and  upon 
an  inquiry  into  that  unerring  record  about  their  meaning  ? 
First,  we  have  a  safe  warrant  from  them  to  conclude,  that 
whatever  may  befall  a  particular  church,  yet  nothing  thence 
can  be  concluded  as  demonstrative  of  a  mortal  prejudice  to 
the  church  universal.  For  though  this  or  that  particular 
church  may  be  cut  off,  and  spewed  out  of  bis  mouth  (as  many 
have,  and  most  of  the  particular  churches  may  this  day 
meditate  terror  :  If  he  spared  not  the  natural  branches,  take 
heed  lest  he  also  spare  not  thee,  should  sound  an  alarm  to 
each  church  ;  those  very  things  with  highly  aggravating 
circumstances,  being  too  obvious  and  easy  to  be  found 
with  them,  for  which  he  casts  others  off)  yet  he  must  in- 
crease, and  his  kingdom  must  be  a  coming  kingdom  :  yea, 
when  he  seems  to  lose  ground  in  one  place  of  the  world,  it 
is  made  up  with  advantage  by  the  enlargement  of  the  same 
in  another  place ;  and  often  out  of  the  very  ruins  and  dissi- 
pation of  that  church  which  he  casts  off,  he  carries  mate- 
rials to  build  him  an  house  elsewhere.  In  which  case  wc 
are,  instead  of  a  querulous  saying,  Why  is  it  thus?  to  adore 
and  bless  the  glory  of  the  Lord  from  his  place,  to  justify  his 
procedure,  and  be  glad,  that  they  to  whom  he  was  not  spok- 
en of  shall  see,  and  they  who  had  not  heard  shall  under* 
stand.  Secondly,  we  may  also  say  with  the  same  warrant, 
that  even  a  particular  church,  which  hath  very  death  pre- 
saging symptoms,  and  scarce  a  token  for  good,  can  by  him 
who  healeth  backslidings  and  loveth  freely,  be  recovered. 
He  can  make  dry  bones  to  flourish  as  a  green  herb  ;  for 
the  issues  from  spiritual  death  belong  to  him.  He  can 
make  them  who  had  fallen  from  their  first  love,  repent 
and  do  the  first  works  ;  whereby  the  departing  of  the  glo* 
ry,  and  the  removing  of  the  candlestick  out  of  his  place  % 


Appen&x.  375 

shall  be  prevented.  I  am  so  much  the  more  pressed  to 
touch  this  a  little,  because  the  very  few  serious,  who 
are  yet  left  Cor  delivered  from  that  spiritual  stupidity, 
which  hath  seized  on  others)  while  they  lay  to  heart  the 
things  which  concern  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christy  are, 
upon  the  frightful  aspect  of  affairs,  and  on  the  considera- 
tion of  what  they  observe  in  the  temper  of  men,  and  ten- 
dency  of  things,  ready  to  cost  away  all  confidence,  and 
abandon  themselves  to  a  simple  despondency  :  they  al- 
most question,  whether  they  ought  to  entertain  any  hope* 
that  we  shall  any  more  be  called  by  that  blessed  name,  Je- 
hovah Shammah,  the  Lord  is  there  ;  seeing  nothing  ap- 
pears at  present  in  the  disposition  of  men,  or  dispensation 
of  God,  which  doth  not  seem  to  portend  a  final  departure. 
Notwithstanding  whereof  I  would  desire  such,  as  to  be- 
ware lest  in  their  heartlessness  they  limit  the  holy  one  of  Is- 
rael, and  circumscribe  the  sovereignty  of  grace  within  its 
just  latitude  and  limits,  so  for  their  establishment  against 
such  a  despondency  and  for  their  excitement  to  a  serious 
wrestling  with  him  in  order  to  his  abode  with  us,  to  con- 
sider these  particulars, 

First,  We  may  call  this  one  of  the  signs  and  presages 
of  the  time,  that  the  devil  is  now  so  much  aloft,  and  in  a 
strange  way  bestirring  himself  against  the  church  ;  to  be- 
get every  where  a  prejudice  at  the  truth,  which  this  day  by 
very  remarkable  effects  of  his  power  may  be  seen.  It  is 
sure,  he  is  a  bad  neighbour  ;  yet  we  must  say,  he  endan- 
gers the  church  most,  when  because  he  makes  no  great  noise 
he  is  least  discerned.  His  being  apparently  quiet  and  stili 
hath  been  found  in  experience  more  fatal  to  the  flourishing 
and  real  success  of  the  gospel,  than  his  rage  ;  and  in  his 
feigned  flight  more  prevalent,  than  in  his  more  furious 
assaults.  But  we  have  the  scripture  to  ask  concerning 
this;  which  makes  these  dear.  (1.)  That  his  appearing 
with  great  wrath,  shews  his  time  to  be  short,  and  that  it 
will  be  no  continued  or  long  storm,  Rev.  xii.  12.  (2.) 
We  thence  know,  his  being  let  loose,  with  a  more  than  usu- 
al liberty,  to  trouble  the  church,  is  previous  to  some  great 
and  remarkable  restraint $  which  you  may  read,  Rev.  xx, 
7,  3.  where  he  is  in  a  more  special  way  let  loose,  but  we 
find  v.  10.  his  being  chained  up  for  ever  follow.  (3.)  We 
may  clearly  see  from  the  scripture  the  devil  much  abft, 
with  a  more  remarkable  stir  and  noise,  when  some  great 
thing  from  the  Lord  is  to  be  brought  forth  for  the  church. 
When  the  set  time,  that  solemn  and  blessed  time,  was  now 
£ome  of  completing  by  that  me  sacrifice  for  ever  the  work 
©f  redemption,  so  that  this  hour  and  power  of  darkness  did 


376  Appendix. 

introduce  an  everlasting  sunshine  upon  the  church  :  and 
Satan,  by  pursuing  the  Prince  of  Life,  unto  the  death,  had 
a  most  fatal  overthrow.  For  by  death  he  overcame  him 
who  had  the  power  of  death,  that  is,  the  devil :  and  by  be- 
ing lifted  up  upon  the  cross,  he  spoiled  principalities  and 
powers,  triumphing  openly  over  them;  and  thus  dying, 
sung  the  victory,  and  said,  It  is  finished!  whereby  a  vic- 
tory over  all  enemies  is  eternally  ensured  to  the  saints. 
Yea,  is  it  not  clear,  what  a  hot  alarm  the  church  may  ex- 
pect from  him,  upon  the  approach  of  that  great  victory, 
and  the  decision  of  the  last  battle  betwixt  Michael  and 
the  dragon  ?  see  Rev-  xx.  9,  10.  what  an  appearance 
he  will  then  have,  and  in  what  a  manner  will  he  bestir 
himself, 

2.  Is  not  this  a  present  sign  of  the  time,  about  which 
we  may  with  some  astonishment  inquire,  what  it  doth 
mean,  and  if  it  hath  any  favourable  aspect  on  the  churches, 
That  we  see  almost  every  where  the  most  united  and 
formidable  assault  of  the  adversaries  of  the  truth  ;  and  its 
special  aim  at  the  kingly  power  and  supremacy  of  the  Mc- 
diater,  as  head  over  his  church  ;  at  which  great  truth  the 
opposition  of  this  time  seems  most  directly  to  be  levelled  ; 
yea,  we  may  say,  the  crown  of  Christ  which  becomes  him 
alone  to  wear,  and  this  piece  of  his  glory,  is  now  betwixt 
antichrist  and  the  princes  of  the  earth  divided,  each  con- 
tending for  his  share.  Sure,  this  is  too  discernible  :  and 
at  present  the  adversary  seems  to  prevail,  even  to  a  bearing 
down  and  bringing  under  of  that  great  interest  of  our  bless- 
ed Master.  But  it  is  as  sure  there  is  no  ground  to  fear  this 
(being  well  understood)  which  is  a  most  hopeful  and  prom- 
ising sign  to  the  church  :  for  we  must  thus  reason  from  the 
scripture  ;  if  Christ  must  reign  until  all  his  enemies  be. 
brought  in  subjection,  it  is  then  sure,  the  greater  the  oppo- 
sition and  assault  be,  the  victory  must  be  the  greater.  And 
if  that  be  not  only  prayed  for,  but  a  clear  prophecy,  That 
Jesus  Christ  will  take  unto  himself  his  great  power,  ^  a?id 
reign,  must  we  not  then  expect  he  will  take  it,  yea,  in  a 
more  eminent  and  conspicuous  manner,  when  men  are 
seeking,  in  the  height  of  their  rebellion  and  rage  against 
the  Lord  and  his  anointed,  to  seize  on  his  sceptre,  and 
snatch  it  from  him  ?  And  if  this  also  be  sure,  and  in  the 
volume  of  that  record  of  the  scripture  written  concerning 
him,  that  his  crown  must  flourish  \>n  his  own  head,  shall 
not  then  his  enemies  be  clothed  wjth  shame  ?  Yea,  hath 
not  this  truth  a  dreadful  aspect  on  the  crowns  and  scep- 
tres of  many  princes,  who  would  rob  the  Mediator  of 
his  ? 


Appendix.  377 

3.  Is  it  not  a  strange  presage  and  sign  of  the  time,  that 
yje  now  see  most  hopeful  and  promising  appearances  for  the 
church's  good,  remarkably  blasted  ;  things,  which  in  an 
ordinary  way  looked  to  be  grounds  of  encouragement, 
made  to  fail  I  We  see  human  props  almost  every  where  re- 
moved, or  broken  ;  the  truth  deserted  by  great  men  ;  yea, 
the  families  of  such  falling  off  this  day  from  the  Lord, 
whose  ancestors  for  a  long  time  had  been  zealous  for  his 
interest.  I  confess,  this  is  a  threatening  appearance,  by 
which  many  now  seem  to  be  shaken  :  but  I  would  hum- 
bly reason  on  scripture  grounds,  that  it  is  no  bad  sign,  but 
hath  therewith  some  comfortable  aspect  on  the  church  ;  it 
being  clear,  (1.)  That  such  a  connection  is  no  strange  thing 
in  the  bible,  betwixt  an  extreme  exigence  of  the  church's 
case,«and  the  Lord's  eminent  appearing  for  her  relief.  See 
Is  a.  xxx.  18.  lxiii.  5.  li.  20,  21,  22.  Yea,  I  must  say,  it 
is  hard  to  find  any  great  mercy  and  remarkable  deliverance 
of  the  church,  but  hath  at  some  such  backset  surprised 
her.  (2.)  Is  not  such  a  disadvantage  and  forsaken  case 
expressly  held  forth  as. one  of  graced  opportunities  of [do- 
ing good  to  his  people  ?  Read  Jer.  xxx.  14,  15,  &c.  and 
you  will  see  it ;  that  when  none  is  to  plead  her  cause,  no 
healer ■,  and  Zion  called  an  outcast,  which  no  man  seeketb 
after  ;  thence  does  the  Lord  allow  his  people  to  be  en- 
couraged, and  to  take  it  as  a  ground  of  hope,  that  he  will 
by  his  oyvn  immediate  hand  appear.  (3.)  Is  it  not  from? 
the  word  clear ,  that  a  people  at  such  a  disadvantage,  and 
under  most  visible  weakness  when  in  God's  way,  may  be 
then  made  use  of  for  greatest  service  ?  They  were  in  as 
sore  distress,  of  whom  (Hcb.  xi.  34.^  it  is  written,  Out  of 
weakness  they  were  made  strong^  &c.  I  shall  farther  add„ 
Can'there  be  cause,  from  the  withdrawing  of  human  help 
and  probable  means  of  safety,  to  fear  the  church's  ruin, 
when  it  falls  under  his  hand,  who  by  things  most  destruc- 
tive can  serve  his  interest,  and  bring  salvation  at  such  a* 
time,  when  none  but  God  could  save  ?  and  why  are  those 
wonderful  providences,  that  have  so  oft  met  the  church  in  av 
forsaken  case,  written  before  us  in  the  scripture  ?  Is  it  not 
for  after  times,  to  witness  to  posterity  how  the  church  may 
be  cast  down,  but  not  destroyed  ;  phd  though  she  fall,  she 
cannot  lie  still,  but  must  arise?  Hos.  vi.  1,  2,  3.  Nor 
have  her  adversaries  any  cause  of  triumph  thence,  Micah 
vii.  8,  9,  10. 

4.  As  to  the  present^ appearance  of  the  time,  is  not  this 
a  threatening  sign,  which  hath  a  very  dreadful  aspect  on 
the  church,  even  that  discernible  loss  and  disadvantage  the 
best  noiy  seem  to  be  at,  in  their  frame  >  and  that  under  a 

z  z 


S78  Appendix. 

growing  trial  of  the  church;  and  the  great  distemper  mav 
ny  of  these  appear  to  be  in,  whilst  we  may  see  much  of 
that  holy  fear  and  tenderness,  that  did  formerly  shew  itself 
amongst  the  godly,  gone  ;  corruption  aloft ;  prejudice  eas- 
ily taken ;  a  spirit  of  jealousy  poured  out ;  yea,  very 
strange  and  unusual  out  breakings  in  offence  and  scandal. 
And  oh  I  is  there  not  here  cause  of  fear,,  that  the  righteous 
God  be  on  a  further  departure  from  his  people,  and  that 
his  judgment  shall  yet  more  hotly  pursue  such,  until  he 
have  consumed  this  generation  ?  On  which  account  if  he 
should  make  us  a  generation  of  his  wrath »,  we  are  called  to 
adore  and  justify  the  unspotted  way  of  the  Lord.  Yet  ev- 
en as  to  this,  I  must  adventure  with  respectto  sovereignty 
of  grace  (which  is  only  like  itself,  and  infinitely  above  our 
thoughts)  to  offer  some  discovery,  from  the  scripture,  of 
what  he  hath  done  in  like  cases.  How  marvellously  hath 
the  gracious  and  long  suffering  God  interposed,  and  at  such 
a  sore  extremity  helped  his  church  ?  For  it  is  clear,  (1.) 
That  when  the  church  hath  had  no  argument  to  make  use  of, 
no  confidence  to  plead,  but  broken  and  confounded  under 
the  sense  of  horrid  guilt,  he  finds  one  in  himself,  Isai.  xlviii. 
9,  For  my  name's  sake  will  I  defer  my  anger,  &c. 
(2.)  We  find  the  covenant  made  use  of  by  the  Lord,  to 
assist  ajudicial  procedure  against  his  people.  Psal.  cvi.  44. 
Nevertheless  he  regarded  their  affliction,  when  he  heard 
their  cry  ;  and  remembered  for  them  his  covenant.  (3.) 
We  find  the  rage  and  violence  of  the  adversary,  and  their 
taking  advantage  to  blaspheme,  made  use  of  as  an  argument 
by  him  to  own  his  people,  who  had  otherwise  forfeited  all 
the  former  grounds  of  confidence.  JDeut.  xxxii.  26.  (4.) 
We  may  read  how  sovereign  grace  hath  thus  marvellously 
stepped  in,  when  the  rod  did  not  humble,  and  smiting 
would  not  do  the  turn,  i"  smote  them,  and  they  went  on 
frowardly  in  the  way  of  their  heart,  Isai.  lvii-  17.  Yet; 
says  the  Lord,  I  will  not  thus  quit  them,  there  is  one  cure 
for  all ,  I  have  seen  their  ways,  and  will  heal  them.  Such 
a  discovery  also  have  we^  thereof,  when  a  people's  ruin  is 
of  themselves,  and  iniquity  hath  brought  them  low.  Hos. 
xiii.  9.  0  Israel,  thou  hast  destroyed  thyself ;  but  in  me  is 
thy  help.  Yea,  hath  not  grace  rescued  those  on  whom 
their  mercy  must  be  forced,  and  while  on  a  hot  chase  in  de- 
parting from  God  !  Eos.  ii.  7,  9.  (5.)  Have  we  not  this 
choice  discovery  of  the  Lord's  way  with  his  people  held 
forth  in  the  scripture,  that  whilst  he  works  all  their  works 
for  them,  He  will  work  these  in  them  also,  Isai.  xxvi.  12. 
I  shall  add,  thus  hath  the  freedom  of  grace  (O  marvellous 
grace!)  shined  forth  in  former  ages  of  the  church.    But 


Appendix.  379 

they  sadly  mistake  its  meaning,  who  are  thus  made  secure 
and  not  thereby  led  unto  repentance. 

5.  This  looks  like  one  of  the  signs  of  our  time,  that 
there  is  a  great  ceasing  of  the  godly,  yea,  the  choice  there- 
of, even  by  a  more  than  usual  dispatch  :  and  is  not  this  a 
sad  scripture  presage  of  evil  coming,  when  such  are,  (as  it 
were)  hastened  away,  that  they  may  be  hid  in  the  grave, 
from  a  further  storm  ?  Yet  these  things  seem  clear  also, 
(1.)  What  a  remarkable  consumption  did  almost  wear  out 
the  church  in  the  wilderness,  whilst  even  then  there  was  a 
hastening  of  her  after  enlargement ;  and  though  a  sore 
judgment,  yet  the  church's  mercy,  in  a  greater  repair  of 
that  loss,  was  helped  forward  ;  yea,  we  find  Moses  and 
Aaron,  with  many  of  those  who  had  been  most  eminent  in- 
struments  in  Israel's  coming  forth  out  of  Egypt,  taken 
away  on  a  near  approach  of  their  entry  into  Canaan^  (2.) 
It  is  sure,  some  of  the  greatest  promises  of  the  scripture, 
waits  on  the  church,  when  brought  to  a  very  small  rem- 
nant, Ezek.  vi.  8,  9.  Isai.  xxxvii.  31.  (3,)  Hath  not  the 
Lord  said  in  such  a  case,  The  consumption  determined  shall 
overflow  with  righteousness  ?  Isai.  x.  20.  That  the  next 
tide  can  bring  in  as  many,  with  a  marvellous  increase,  as 
these  former  consuming  strokes  had  taken  away  ;  yea,  is  it 
not  seen,  with  a  wearing  out  of  the  godly,  and  a  declining  of 
religion,  in  one  part  of  the  world,  or  of  a  country,  where 
many  have  been  called,  that  it  doth  break  out  remarkably 
in  another  ?  And  thus  the  gospel  recovers  that  interest , 
which  it  seemed  to  have  lost. 

6.  Does  not  the  present  appearance  of  the  time,  threat- 
en,  by  very  unusual  signs  and  presages,  some  sharp  storm 
to  come  now  upon  the  world  ?  which  in  many  instances 
we  may  discern,  that  there  is  some  remarkable  work  of 
judgment  to  be  brought  forth,  and  a  great  break  amongst 
the  nations  near.  (Though  the  earth  seems  this  day  in  a 
strange  measure  quiet,  yea,  so  extraordinary  a  calm  as  is 
now  through  the  world,  may  it  not  be  a  presage  of  some 
great  storm,  which  as  too  clear  and  hot  a  sunshine  foretells 
a  break  of  the  weather.)  Sure  it  is,  there  is  a  sound  of 
great  wrath  and  judgment,  in  the  ears  of  many,  who  know 
what  it  is  to  discern  the  times.  It  is  well,  the  scripture  is 
near  ;  a  prognostication  that  can  answer  all  the  ages  of  the 
church  :  and  it  is  there  we  should  inquire,  what  such  a 
sign  does  portend  ?  We  may  not  wish  the  evil  day  ;  but 
on  such  an  appearance  of  the  time,  that  awful  impression 
(Hab.  iii.  16)  is  called  for,  to  be  in  a  trembling  frame, 
when  God  threatens  and  does  thus  utter  his  voice  :  yet  is  it 
clear,  that  from  these  threatening  signs  there  is  a  corhforta- 


580  Appendix. 

ble  sound  of  much  good  to  the  church.  For,  (I.)  We  find 
days  of  vengeance  on  the  world,  held  forth  as  necessary  for 
the  accomplishing  of  the  scripture,  Luke  xxi.  22,  and 
made  subservient  to  the  bringing  forth  some  special  truth 
thereof  unto  a  performance^  (2.)  We  find  in  times  of  great- 
est judgment,  the  church's  interest  then  set  apart  and  secur- 
ed with  a  large  warrant  to  the  godly,  not  to  fear ;  even  whilst 
his  garments  are  dyed  with  blood.  Isa.  Win.  1.  Ezek. 
ix.  4.  Rev.  iii.  10.  (3.)  May  we  not  see  also  the 
church's  enlargement,  and  some  of  her  greatest  mercies 
thus  ushered  in  ?  Which  is  clear,  Isa.  lxiii.  4.  Zeph. 
iii.  8.  And  O  what  a  strange  connexion  is  there  ?  That 
the^  putting  the  earth  in  a  flame,  and  overturning  the 
nations,  when  the  Lord,  as  a  lion  does  rouse  himself  up  to 
the  prey,  should  Be  the  very  rise  to  an  accomplishing  of 
some  great  promises  for  the  church's  advantage,  yea, 
and  as  a  prelude  to  the  same  !  Yet  nothing  more  evident 
to  such  who  understand  the  scripture  ;  and  by  such  a  sign 
does  the  Lord  speak  comfortably  to  his  people.  We  find 
a  dreadful  winter  storm  on  the  world,  pointed  out  as  a 
spring  time  to  the  church,  and  the  trees  putting  forth  their 
blossom,  as  Luke  xxi.  25.  It  is  clear,  her  deliverance  may 
be  begun,  and  the  storm  then  breaking,  which  may  for  a 
time  put  the  church  under  greater  difficulties  than  before  ; 
yea,  cause  the  godly  to  mistake,  and  tremble  at  the  sight  of 
their  mercy,  because  of  those  things  by  which  it  is  ushered 
in,  even  when  it  is  before  their  eyes.  I  shall  add  no  more 
but  this,  It  is  our  great  concernment,  to  fear  him  who 
guides  all  things,  to  whom  alone  the  determination  of 
events  doth  belong;  and  this  is  the  wisdom  of  his  people, 
not  to  faun  at  the  strange  appearance  of  the  time  or  the 
signs  thereof,  but  to  know  what  is  called  for,  and^  thence 
read  personal  duties,  from  the  sad  presages  of  public  judg- 
ments, and  to  pursue  more  nearness  with  God,  and  ensure 
a  retreat  under  his  shadow  until  the  indignation  pass  over. 
For  behold,  the  Lord  cometh  out  of  his  place  to  visit  the  in- 
habitants of  the  earth,  and  the  earth  shall  disclose  her  blood, 
and  no  more  cover  her  slain.  Isai.  xxvi.  21. 

A  third  particular,  which  concerns  the  godly  with  much 
circumspection  to  notice  and  understand,  in  their  discern- 
i?ig  the  time,  is  the  peculiar  snares  and  hazards  thereof 
This  is  the  scripture  character  of  the  wise  man,  to  discern 
time  and  judgment,  it  being  so  oft  verified,  (Eccles.  ix. 
12.)  that  in  an  evil  time  the  children  of  men  are  ensnared, 
when  it  falls  suddenly  upon  them."  8ure,^  it  is,  there  are 
searching  times,  when  the  christian's  way  is  more  difficult 
and  narrow  (though  each  day  hath  its  siaares,  which  in  Si 


Appendix,  ,  381 

special  way  waits  thereon)  and  then  is  it  the  wisdom  of  the 
prudent,  to  under strtid  his  yoay^  and  know  his  ground, 
which  the  adversary  by  subtile  and  indiscernible  approach- 
es will  seek  to  draw  him  off;  then  is  a  quick  sagacious 
discerning  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  called  for,  to  have  their 
eyes  in  their  head,  and  be  in  a  watching  posture,  when  the 
net  is  closely  spread  under  their  feet.  It  is  a  sad  remark, 
too  clearly  verified  oft  times  on  a  people  professing  the 
truth,  which  is  said  of  Ephraim^  Strangers  have  devoured 
their  ^  strength,  and  they  knew  it  not  ;  yea,  their  not  dis- 
cerning of  the  same,  proves  a  special  cause  of  their  further 
ruin.  And  is  it  not  written  for  the  ages  to  come,  in  what 
a  secure  and  sleeping  posture  Sams&n  had  his  hair  cut ! 
He  first  lost  his  discerning  of  such  a  snare,  ere  he  lost  his 
eyes.  We  find  David  (through  many  of  the  psalms)  in 
his  wrestlings  witlvGop,  more  solicitous  for  the  prevent- 
ing the  snares  of  wicked  men,  and  a  delivery  thence,  than 
From  their  rage  and  violence.  There  is  a  feeling  the  pulse 
of  the  times,  by  which  the  present  distemper  and  hazard  of 
the  church  may  be  known,  as  well  as  of  the  body  of  man  : 
and  I  must  say,  this  day  in  a  special  manner  calls  us  to  this 
grave  study.  I  intend  no  further  application,  but  a  very 
short  touch  at  some  things  in  general,  which  rightly  pursu- 
ed in  the  godly  man's  serious  study,  may  help  to  discern 
something  of  the  public  snares  of  the  time,  and  how  they 
get  advantage  in  their  approach,  for  these  closely  wait 
their  season,  for  in  vain  is  the  net  spread  in  the  sight  of 
the  bird. 

First,  It  is  clear,  each  time  hath  its  peculiar  distemper 
and  evils,  that  have  then  a  special  power  and  prevalency 
therewith',  the  observing  of  which  concerns  the  godly,  for 
their  more  watchful  adverting  to  the  snares  of  that  time. 
For  then  the  temptation  of  the  time  goes  therewith,  as  the 
present  distemper  discovers  itself,  whether  in  a  hot  boiling 
fevtr,  or  in  a  dead  lethargy  ;  and  follows  those  evils,  which 
are  in  that  time  most  contagious,  where  the  current  of  the 
multitude  runs,  which  is  giving  the  godly  the  greatest  as- 
sault, and  seem  to  be  warmed  under  the  favourable  aspect 
and  countenance  of  great  men  ;  yea,  those  evils  which 
promise  some  outward  advantage  and  security  from  trou- 
ble, when  the  question  is  stated  between  sin  and  suffering, 
it  is  there  the  present  snare  does  haunt,  and  there  lies  a 
special  piece  of  the  godly  man's  work,  to  hold  off  and  keep 
a  distance  from  the  least  accession  thereto  ;  yea,  I  may 
say  next  to  the  salvation  of  their  soul,  to  be  solicitous  all 
along  their  way,  to  have  their  garments  kept  from  the 
smallest  stain  and  spot  thereof.    A  touch,  a  small  defile- 


5S2  Appendix. 

ment  from  a  public  prevailing  evil,  being  found  to  draw 
more  deep  on  the  conscience,  and  with  more  difficulty  do 
men  recover  and  escape  thence,  than  from  many  other  per- 
sonal  infirmities. 

2.  It  is  also  clear,  there  is  some  piece  of  the  truth  of  God 
in  each  time  of  the  church,  that  is  more  questioned  and 
brought  in  debate*  by  which  with  greater  advantage  and 
clearness  we  may  know  where  a  public  snare  doth  lie.  For 
here  is  its  aim  directed,  to  entangle  and  assault  the  godly 
man,  where  in  a  special  way  he  is  called  to  his  post,  to 
contend  for  such  an  interest  :  and  thus  it  may  be  said,  if 
one  keep  sight  well  of  present  duty,  he  will  with  more  fa- 
cility  find  out  the  scent,  on  which  the  snare  of  the  time  is, 
how  it  directs  its  motion  to  darken  or  cast  an  obstructioa 
in  the  way  of  that  duty. 

b  3.  We  may  thus  discern  a  prevailing  snare,  and  its  get- 
ting ground,  by  that  tendency  there  is  in  a  day  of  trial,  to 
question  and  make  new  inquiry  about  duties  which  were 
once  clear  and  unquestionable,  when  their  judgment  vyas  not 
biassed  from  any  outward  incitements.  For  this  speaks 
men's  finding  a  sad  invention,  to  be  rid  of  their  conscience* 
by  extenuating  present  controversies  :  a  design,  which 
(in  the  righteous  judgment  of  the  Lord)  is  seldom  set  on 
foot  by  any,  but  they  too  visibly  thrive  therein,  for  their 
further  ruin,  and  get  an  answer  according  to  the  idol  of  their 
heart.  Thus  Balaam,  we  have  in  divine  record  as  a 
dreadful  instance,  who  tried  that  way,  and  therein  was 
successful.  And  is  it  not  a  known  remark,  that  a  hesita- 
tion and  fainting  upon  the  heart,  from  want  of  resolution 
to  suffer  for  the  truth,  will  not  long  want  a  scruple  in  the 
bead,  to  cause  a  debate  thereabout  ;  and  then  it  is  easy  for 
a  snare  to  enter.  O  with  what  fear  and  tenderness  should 
light  be  guarded  ;  which,  as  the  apple  of  the  eye,  may  by 
the  least  thing  be  hurt,  but  is  not  easily  healed  !  Thus  is 
it,  men  do  insensibly  wear  out  from  under  those  former 
impressions  they  had  upon  them  of  duty  ;  and  ere  they 
are  aware  have  their  judgment  by  a  judicial  stroke  deter- 
mined in  that,  which  was  before  their  desire.  They  know 
little  that  depth  of  a  man's  heart,  who  are  not  jealous  over 
a  change  on  their  judgment  in  an  hour  of  trial,  when  its 
tendency  is,  to  spare  themselves. 

4.  We  may  discern  a  public  snare  in  its  approach,  by 
that  advantage  the  adversary  gets  thereby  to  dhide  the 
godly,  and  those  who  appear  for  the  truth  amongst  them- 
selves. t  For  then  it  is  easy  to  enter  by  such  a  breach,  and 
throw  in  the  bait  in  so  muddy  a  water  :  it  being  too  obvi- 
ous, what  an  advantage  a  snare  hath,  where  jealousy,  with 


Appendix.  3#3 

these  bitter  effects  of  private  strife  and  quarrelling,  turns 
men's  eyes  off  the  public  hazard,  and  blunts  that  edge  of 
contending  for  the  truth,  in  smiting  one  another.  I  do  not 
mean  but  there  may  be  a  necessity  oft  on  the  godly,  to 
withstand their  friends  td  their  face,  yea,the  most  eminent 
in  the  church,  were  it  a  Peter,  (Gal.  ii.  11.7  when  the 
truth  is  concerned  ;  but  this  should  be  with  greatest  cau- 
tion and  tenderness,  to  obviate  a  breach,  or  quarrel,  which 
is  like  the  breaking  in  of  waters,  whilst  the  watching  adver- 
sary waits  his  advantage  in  such  a  day  of  their  halting. 
And  it  is  too  sadly  known,  how  small  a  wedge,  that  is  driv- 
en with  a  tendency  to  that  end,  makes  way  for  the  entry  of 
a  further  snare  \  see  }  Cor.  xi.  16.  what  a  sad  connexion 
there  is  betwixt  a  dividing  time  of  the  church,  and  a  further 
departing  from  the  truth.  But  we  must  always  take  heed, 
that  we  so  pursue  union  amongst  ourselves,  as  that  Christ 
and  his  cause  be  not  left  alone. 

5.  A  present  snare  may  be  seen  by  the  sudden  change  of 
known  adversaries,  and  the  friendly  insinuations  of  those 
who  are  wont  to  threaten.  m  That  in  such  an  appearance 
there  lies  an  ambush,  and  is  but  a  change  of  weapons  for  a 
seen  advantage,  sure  this  should  be  ground  of  fear,  and  a 
cautious  advertence  to  be  much  alone  with  God,  that  men 
may  know  the  voice  of  the  shepherd,  lest  they  follow  after  zl 
stranger  ;  it  being  more  usual,  to  be  stolen  off  their  feet  in 
a  calm,  tban  blown  down  by  a  storm  ;  it  is  hard  to  stand 
before  the  blandishments  of  men,  where  that  more  endear- 
ing and  sweet  relish  of  peace  with  God  is  not  kept  on  the 
soul,  which  is  a  choice  mean  to  make  the  ear  deaf  to  the 
most  charming  voice  of  the  enchanter  :  oft  hath  it  been 
3een,  that  adders'*  poison  is  under  their  lips,  whilst  wrath  is 
boiling  in  their  heart,  fPsal.  cxl.)  yea,  that  the  cruel  man 
can  change  his  countenance,  when  it  is  fit  to  lay  a  snare, 
and  with  Joab  embrace  them  in  their  arms,  whom  they  in- 
tend to  smite  under  the  fifth  rib. 

6.  May  not  thus  a  snare  be  seen  in  its  approach,  by  that 
prevalence  the  fear of man  hath  over  the  time,  and  that  un- 
usual command  it  seems  to  have  sometimes  over  the  spir- 
its of  men,  even  those  whose  former  Zealand  resolution  for 
the  truth  hath  in  other  trials  with  much  advantage  appear- 
ed ?  Here  is  indeed  cause  to  watch  ;  for  in  the  fear  of  man 
there  is  a  snare  fProv.  xxix.  25  J  which  then  will  take  ad- 
vantage to  pursue,  when  it  finds  men  in  a  flying  posture, 
and  shrunk  so  far  below  their  former  appearance.  We 
find  the  godly  man  hath  his  breastplate  :  but  he  hath  no 
piece  of  armour  for  his  back,  when  he  turns  his  face  from 
resisting.    It  is  sad,  when  the  adversary  is  taught  to  foi- 


384  Appendix. 

low,  by  our  fainting  :  and  that  spirit  which  is  in  the  world; 
seems  to  be  upon  the  ascendent,  with  a  prevalence  even 
over  the  spirits  of  the  godly  :  yea,  those  debased  and  made 
contemptible  in  their  eyes,  in  whom  the  appearance  of  God 
and  his  authority  upon  them  at  another  time  would  have 
made  the  hearts  of  their  enemies  to  tremble.  This  is  too 
obvious,  in  a  humbling  and  judicial  time  of  the  church, 
until  once  that  hour  ojf  her  trial  go  over. 

7.  A  public  snare  is  then  to  bz  feared,  and  calls  for  a 
watching  eye,  by  that  success  which  waits  on  a  sinful 
course  ;  especially  when  such  a  shine  is  of  any  continuance. 
For  then  new  queries  will  be  started,  strange  reports  spread, 
with  much  subtile  reflection  on  the  way  of  the  Lord,  to 
make  the  godly  question  the  same.  The  psalmist  found 
it  not  easy  to  stand  before  this,  which  put  him  to  bring  un- 
der debatehis  principles,  and  the  advantage  of  his  cause, 
Psal.  lxxiii.  13.  And  in  such  a  trial  doth  the  adversary, 
by  some  continued  observation,  know  how  to  assault  the 
followers  of  the  truth,  and  attack  them  at  their  weakest : 
then  is  it  the  scandal  of  the  cross  causeth  many  to  offend  ; 
then  it  is  sore  for  such  to  suffer,  who  know  not  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  cross  of  Christ,  which  is  a  piece  of  the  greatest 
and  most  near  fellowship  with  him  upon  the  earth  :  yea, 
then  the  church  may  run  more  hazard  from  some  of  her 
friends,  than  from  the  professed  adversary.  For  thus  oft  is 
a  prevailing  snare  helped  forward  ;  it  cannot  but  be  a 
searching  and  hazardous  time,  when  many  are  turning 
aside,  and  some  of  understanding  suffered  to  fall,  who  are 
ready  to  press  their  sin  as  duty,  on  others  ;  for  seldom  do 
such  fall  off,  but  are  found  more  stirring  and  active  in  such 
a  way  to  engage  others,  than  they  were  while  holding  their 
former  integrity,  to  pursue  the  truth's  interest ;  thus  we 
have  seen  it,  so  it  is,  let  us  hear  it  and  know  it  for  our  good. 

8.  Thus  a  snare  of  the  time  may  be  discerned,  by  the 
tendency  thereof  to  corruption  in  the  church,  and  a  produc- 
ing still  the  same  effects,  whatever  be  pretended,  when  by 
the  hands  of  Esau,  it  discovers  itself,  though  it  have  the 
voice  of  Jacob.  And  doth  not  the  ruin  of  many,  who  have 
dashed  on  such  a  rock,  and  have  been  thus  taken,  put  a 
sad  mark  thereon  ?  For  it  may  be  said,  no  snare  or  subtile 
contrivance  of  the  adversary  awaits  the  godly  in  the  pres- 
ent time,  but.  if  men  do  not  consent  to  shut  their  eyes,  they 
may  from  the  scripture  and  observation  of  the  church,  see 
at  others  cost  seme  discernible  beacon  set  thereon  ;  what 
a  sad  tendency  such  a  thing  hath  still  had,  to  a  making  ship- 
wreck of  faith  and  a  good  conscience ;  how  hard  it  is  to 
dance  about  the  fire  and  not  be  burned,  or  stand  in  the  way 
and  counsels  of  ungodly  men  and"  not  be  ensnared. 


Appendix.  385 

9.  It  seems  to  threaten  a  snare,  when  inquiry  about  the 
duty  of  the  time  is  pursued  without  respect  to  the  present 
case  and  circumstances  thereof.  For  thus  a  snare  may 
wait  in  a  thing  at  other  times  indifferent ',  the  neglect  where- 
of  under  some  special  circumstances  may  be  a  quitting 
their  duty  ;  and  the  doing  also,  or  yielding  to  something 
in  another  case  warrantable,^  at  sometimes  may  fall  under 
a  moral  prohibition.  As  this,  when  a  thing  in  itself  indif- 
ferent, Circa  sacra  et  cultum  Dei,  is  pressed  by  the  magis- 
trate, as  necessary  by  virtue  of  his  sole  command,  and  to 
the  subjecting  the  godly  in  things  wherein  they  are  not  sub- 
ject, and  to  the  prejudice  of  another  jurisdiction  ;  can 
there  be  an  inquiry  about  this  in  the  general,  without  a: 
particular  application  to  the  complex  case  ?  It  may  be  said 
a  snare  is  then  on  the  entry,  when  that  consideration  of  the 
prophet  is  not  much  regarded  in  the  present  question,  Is 
this  a  time  for  such  a  thing  ?  For  the  disciples  to  refresh 
themselves  with  sleep,  was  a  piece  of  innocent  duty  ;  but 
that  they  could  not  watch  this  me  hour  with  their  Master 
in  his  sufferings,  must  needs  vary  the  case  ;  for  it  was  in 
so  far  a  deserting  him* 

10.  I  shall  further  add*  is  not  this  a  sad  appearance  of 
some  public  snare  getting  advantage,  which  is  witnessed  by 
a  previous  disposition,  and  that  prevalence  private  engage- 
ments to  an  autward  interest  hath  upon  men's  spirits  ?  For 
a  snare  enters  not  without  a  call,  and  finds  within,  its 
greatest  strength  and  advantage  ;  yea,  a  conformity  to  the 
world,  with  an  insensible  wearing  out  of  soul  tenderness, 
is  too  oft  known  to  have  a  tendency  for  conforming  to  an 
evil  course.  For  the  motion  is  then  down  the  hill ;  and 
there  is  cause  to  fear,  the  snare  will  follow  in  there,  and  lie 
about  that  interest,  which  otherwise  hath  got  the  mastery 
over  them.  How  many  in  embracing  the  world,  have  af 
the  next  step  fallen  off  from  the  truth  ?  No  weapon  hath 
been  more  made  use  of  against  the  church,  and  hath  ruin- 
ed more  :  so  that  it  may  be  said,  where  other  snares  have 
killed  their  thousands,  this  its  ten  thousands.  I  must  say, 
such  an  appearance  in  a  time  of  the  church's  trial  is  like 
the  breaking  forth  of  her  gray  hairs  ;  nor  is  it  easy  for  those 
to  stand,  or  resist,  who  are  so  far  gone  backward,  or  keep 
their  feet  before  a  snare,  where  the  truth  ceaseth  to  get  a 
command  over  their  heart. 

A  fourth  particular,  which  calls  for  a  serious  inquiry, 
from  those  who  know  the  time,  and  are  wise  to  discern  the 
same,  is  this,  What  can  the  righteous  do  ?  when  there  is  a 
growing  darkness  on  the  church,  and  the  very  foundations 
like  to  be  shaken  :  yea,  the  hearts  of  many  so  far  down, 

A  A  A 


336  Appendix. 

that  they  are  like  to  lose  their  hand  therewith,  in  the  mat- 
ter of  duty,  and  give  over,  as  men  astonished,  seeing  this 
evil  is  from  the  Lord,  It  is  no  small  thing,  to  manage  well 
such  a  time  of  the  church's  trial,  and  in  so  sharp  a  storm 
there  is  need  of  much  ballast ;  but  we  know,  the  scripture 
of  God  is  near,  which  stands  good  for  his  people's  con- 
duct, to  let  them  know  how  to  steer  their  course  in  the 
darkest  night,  and  from  that  blessed  record  there  is  one 
thing  clearly  held  forth  to  answer  such  a  time,  which  is  a 
great  duty  ;  Let  the  righteous  hold  on  his  way,  and  he  who 
hath  clean  hands  wax  stronger  and  stronger,  Job  xvii.  9. 
For  it  is  sure,  they  have  cause  and  solid  ground  for  this, 
though  the  earth  should  in  a  more  strange  manner  reel,  and 
the  pillars  thereof  seem  to  be  dissolved  :  since  it  is  certain 
and  true, 

(1.)  That  all  is  well,  and^  nothing  can  fall  wrong,  whilst 
the  foundation  of  God,  which  is  his  eternal  counsel  held 
forth  in  the  scripture,  abides  sure.  Though  other  founda- 
tions be  shaken,  the  godly  man  does  then  lie  at  a  safe  anchor, 
which  will  not  drive  in  a  stormy  day  :  his  great  interest  is 
beyond  hazard,  though  more  than  an  immortal  soul  were 
in  that  adventure  :  his  heaven  is  sure,  whereof  he  cannot 
be  beguiled,  whilst  things  upon  the  earth  seem  most  uncer- 
tain ;  and  must  it  not  then  be  well  with  the  church,  were 
it  even  sinking  into  the  grave,  since  the  Mediator  will 
bring  it  up  again  ?  Men's  evil  eye  cannot  hurt,  nor  their 
cursing  biast  that  interest,  which  God  hath  blessed.  For 
it  is  then  sure,  there  is  no  enchantment  against  Jacob,  nor 
divination  against  Israel. 

(2.)  Is  not  the  truth,  and  the  great  interest  of  godliness, 
that  to  a  christian,  and  in  such  a  manner  known  to  him, 
that  it  needs  no  testimony  from  men,  or  incitement  from  ex- 
ample of  others  ?  For  to  these  it  commends  itself,  and 
does  witness  its  reality,  though  by  all  the  generation 
amongst  whom  they  live,  it  should  be  cried  down.  It  is 
sure,  to  be  a  christian  indeed,  requires  this,  to  know  the 
truth,  and  be  founded  on  such  a  ground,  that  can  support 
and  quiet  the  soul  in  the  greatest  falling  off  of  others,  though 
none  else  were  to  walk  in  that  way ;  that  if  it  were  suppos- 
ed, one  serious  christian  in  such  an  age  were  in  the  whole 
world,  and  thus  left  alone,  there  is  so  great  a  discovery  and 
certainty  of  the  truth  to  be  known  upon  the  soul,  as  should 
oblige  him  to  such  a  declaration  with  Joshua,  But  as  for 
{  will  seme  the  Lord.  O  to  see  a  generation  of  men  of 
siich  mettle,  who  with  resolute  peremptoriness  would  for- 
uikc  ail  men,  and  follow  the  -Lord,  and  serve  him  without 
-nmpany,  if  better  might  not  be  :  we  might  by  the  hand  of 


Appendix.  387 

such  expect  to  be  led  through  Jordan,  after  our  Moseses 
are  dead,  by  whom  we  were  led  through  the  Red  sea :  but 
alas,  where  are  they  ! 

(3.)  Have  not  those  ground  in  the  darkest  time  to  be 
confirmed,  who  may  see  cause  to  improve  the  most  shaking 
things,  which  fall  out  in  their  day,  for  their  further  estab- 
lishment ;  and  strengthen  their  hand  in  the  way  of  the 
Lord,  by  those  dispensations  at  which  many  stumble  ?  It 
is  strange,  to  observe  what  a  challenge  and  upcast  sonie 
have  in  their  reflecting  on  the  truth,  on  those  grounds  which 
in  their  conscience  they  must  admit  to  be  a  convincing  wit- 
ness thereto.  But  having  at  some  length  elsewhere  touch- 
ed this,  I  shall  but  add  these  few  things  more,  which  as  ev- 
ident grounds  of  establishment  in  the  way  of  tl*e  Lord,  and 
for  our  further  strengthening  therein,  should  be  improved, 
which  yet  are  an  usual  challenge  by  many  against  the  same. 

First,  That  ,the  number  seems  so  small,  who  follow  the 
truth,  and  are  found  serious  in  the  study  of  godliness,  can 
be  no  ground  to  question  this,  without  a  strange  mistake  ; 
since  men  must  either  quit  the  scripture,  or  admit,  the  way 
to  life  is  strait,  and  few  enter  therein  :  yea,  that  the  small 
convoy  the  truth  hath  in  the  world  is  an  express  verifica- 
tion of  it.  Is  there  the  least  warrant,  to  make  the  suffrage 
of* the  multitude  a  test  of  the  way  of  the  Lord  ?  But  it  is 
sure,  we  can  <hew  them  the  contrary,  that  his  followers  are 
a  select  number,  chosen  out  of  the  world,  the  great  bulk 
whereof  is  outlawed,  and  put  out  of  the  intercession  of  the 
Mediator;  eke  the  scripture  could  not  be  fulfilled.  And 
is  not  the  falling  of  many  from  the  truth  a  great  seal  there- 
to, no  less  than  the  incoming  of  others  r  and  that  excellent 
way  of  holiness,  the  more  discernibly  known  by  such  a 
character,  that  it  is  every  where  spoken  against  ? 

2.  That  so  great  contempt  and  reproach  does  this  day  at- 
tend the  truth  and  practice  of  godliness,  should  prejudice 
none  thereat  :  but  be  a  further  ground  of  strengthening,  to 
help  the  christian  to  hold  on  his  way  ;  since  it  is  nothing- 
else  but  what  is  foretold,  and  what  the  most  excellent  of 
the  earth  in  their  time  have  met  with,  to  be  accounted  the 
filth  and  off  scouring  of  the  world.  In  no  age  hath  the  truth 
wanted  such  an  assault,  and  in  no  age  hath  it  wanted  a  tri- 
umph over  the  same  :  yea,  hath  not  the  greatest  reproach- 
er  sometimes  been  forced  to  give  in  his  retraction,  and 
make  earnest  of  that  which  before  he  scoffed  at  ?  When 
Gon  comes  near  by  a  stroke  of  his  judgment,  then  do  the 
proud  change  their  style  ;  and  speak  in  another  language, 
upon  the  awful  appearance  of  death.  But  this  also  doth 
witness,  what  a  marvellous  tiling  religion  is,  which  with 


3S8  Appendix. 

those  who  know  it,  loseth  no  weight,  when  under  the  great- 
est cloud  of  detraction  and  contempt ;  for  then  is  Christ 
still  precious \  and  his  way  desirable,  unto  those  who  believe. 

3.  That  sentence  is  not  speedily  executed  against  an  evil 
course,  we  see  what  improvement  the  world  makes  thereof, 
to  be  more  desperately  wicked  :  but  is  not  this  also  a  seal 
and  confirmation  of  the  truth  ?  and  a  ground  for  establish- 
vient  in  the  way  of  the  Lord,  which  verifies  the  scripture, 
Eccles.  viii.  11.  And  it  is  there  men  may  see,  a  short  re- 
prieve from  punishment  is  no  pardon,  or  acquittance, 
whilst  sin  runs  on  to  an  after  account ;  that  judgment  de- 
ferred, when  therewith  a  further  hardening  appears,  doth 
threaten  more,  than  a  quick  and  present  dispatch ;  and 
shews,  the  stroke  will  be  the  greater,  when  it  comes. 
Surely  if  this  fell  not  out,  whereof  the  world  takes  such  ad- 
vantage, it  might  in  so  far  put  us  to  question  the  truth,  of 
which  one  syllable  must  not  fail  to  the  ground. 

4.  So  great  an  abounding  of  profanity  and  ungodliness 
within  the  church,  is  it  not  an  undeniable  seal  to  the  verity 
of  the  scriptures  which  thus  takes  place,  and  should  help 
the  godly  man  to  hold  on  his  way  ?  it  being  unanswerably 
clear,  there  could  be  no  darkness,  if  there  vvere  not  such  a 
thing  as  light ;  or  folly,  if  there  were  no  wisdom  :  and  is 
not  excellent  holiness  thus  evidently  made  known  in  its  op- 
posite, to  which  there  could  be  no  contrariety,  if  itself  were 
not  most  real, 

5.  That  the  truth  seems  so  much  entangled  in  a  confu- 
sion of  contrary  doctrines,  and  we  see  it  without  ceasing 
pursued  by  error,  and  the  assault  of  those  adversaries,  who 
in  every  age  are  seeking  to  darken  the  same,  can  be  no 
ground  of  prejudice  and  shaking,  without  a  strange  mis- 
take :  but  should  strengthen  the  godly  in  their  way,  and 
help  them  to  wax  stronger,  who  have  the  scripture  thus 
so  expressly  fulfilled  before  their  eyes.  It  is  sure,  the 
Lord  hath  made  his  way  plain,  nor  does  that  blessed  record 
give  any  ground  to  turn  aside  u.nto  crooked  paths :  for  those 
are  clouds  of  men's  own  creating,  which  have  such  a  ten- 
dency to  darken  the  same.  But  we  see  truth  in  all  ages 
waited  on  by  error,  which  (with  any  brighter  discovery 
thereof)  breaks  out  like  a  thick  fog ;  though  these  can  nev- 
er unite,  no  more  than  gold  and  clay  can  join  together:  and 
it  is  clear,  the  notion  of  error  were  inconceivable,  if  the 
truth  had  not  a  certainty  and  real  being  ;  nor  doth  it  con^ 
flict  with  such  an  adversary,  but  for  its  further  triumph. 
Oh  if  the  solid  persuasion  of  the  scripture  were  in  earnest 
pursued,  and  men's  souls  once  brought  under  the  power 
aud  authority  of  the  truth,  as  that  which  is  the  word  and  tes- 


Appendix.  389 

timony  of  the  Irving  God,  it  would  prove  a  more  effectual 
cure  to  so  dreadful  a  distemper  of  the  church,  than  all  the 
disputes  of  the  time  ;  which  are  of  special  use  also.     May 
not  atheism  be  found,  upon  a  serious  inquiry,  the  great  rise 
of  error,  and  of  men's  bold  adventuring  to  make  the  scrip- 
ture of  God  a  sport  of  their  invention,  to  make  it  subservi- 
ent to  their  interest,  and  run  after  such  a  bias  ?  And  should 
it  not  be  for  a  lamentation,  that  a  humble  serious  inquiry 
after  the  truth,  under  an  awful  impression  of  that  God 
whose  word  it  is,  is  this  day  so  rare  a  thing  in  the  world  ? 
Now  this  being  so  sharp  a  trial  of  the  church,  and  one  of 
those  things  whereat  many  pretend  to  be  most  shaken, 
though  I  have  in  another  part  touched  it  a  little,  I  would  add 
further  some  few  remarks,  how  clearand  express  a  confir- 
mation of  the  word  even  this  is,  which  should  more  fix 
and  establish  those  who  love  the  truth.      (1.)  It  is  mani- 
fest, that  no  error  or  corrupt  doctrine  assaults  the  church, 
but  is  in  such  a  manner  pointed  forth,  yea,  by  so  express 
an  opposition  thereto,  in  the  scripture,  that  we  may  see  a 
prophetical  forewarning  thereof,  and  of  men's  endeavour 
to  corrupt  and  darken  such  a  piece  of  the  truth.    It  is  sure, 
the  word  is  written,  and  in  a  special  way  directed  to  every 
time  of  the  church,  and  to  all  her  after  trials  and  assaults 
is  peculiarly  suited,  by  him  who  knew  and  did  foresee 
what  opposition  his  truth  in  after  ages  should  meet  with  : 
and  in  this  marvellous  record  men  may  clearly  see  (if 
there  were  such  a  serious  inquiry)  that  there  is  no  poison 
or  corruption  in  doctrine,  which  infests  the  church,  but 
hath  its  proper  antidote  there  provided.      I  must  here  as 
to  one  particular  instance  say,  if  I  were  not  persuaded  of  a 
determined  species  of  governmciitfor  the  church  under  the 
New  Testament  (which  is  clear  in  the  scripture  holding 
forth    its    constitution  to    be  aristocratic,  with  a  parity 
amongst  the  officers  of  Jesus  Christ  in  the  administration 
of  their  power,  and  a  subordination  of  the  lesser  parts  to 
the  greater)  I  could  not  shun  so  clear  a  remark,  of  that  exT 
press  prohibition  of  any  disparity  and  lordly  prelacy  in  his 
house  ;  yea,  how  manifestly  the  all  seeing  God,  when  he 
was  about  to  found  the  christian  church,  doth  point  in 
such  plain  terms  as  this,  that  we  may  there  read  a  very  di- 
rect prediction  of  that  ruin  and  prejudice,  it  would  on  this 
account  sustain  in  after  times.     I  speak  this  on  no  particu- 
lar interest,  or  from  bitterness  and  prejudice  at  the  persons 
of  any,  but  have  confidence  to  say,  it  is  from  the  awe  and 
persuasion  of  the  truth.     Sure,  on  politic  grounds  and 
with  respect  to  an  outward  interest,  it  is  easy  to  judge, 
that  way  wants  not  a  persuading  bait ;  if  something  great- 


390  Appendix,    . 

-cr  were  not.  to  preponderate,  and  a  destroying  hook  did  not 
wait  thereon,  which  should  make  the  purchase  too  dear, 
at  the  rate  of  denying  Jesus  Christ  in  a  piece  of  his  truth, 
when  a  confession  thereof  is  called  for  before  men.  (2.) 
Do  we  nor  see  even  in  those  things,  which  in  that  marvel- 
lous depth  of  error  and  delusion  on  men's  souls  seem  most 
strange,  the  scripture  thence  most  exactly  confirmed,  and 
in  that  power  and  energy  which  attends  it,  and  is  to  many 
matter  of  astonishment,  may  discern  how  these  clouds  are 
carried  about  with  a  tempest  (2  Pet.  ii.  17. )  and  driven  on 
by  a  judicial  stroke.  And  though  it  is  amazing  to  see  at 
what  a  rate  many  are  this  way  turned  mad,  with  a  discern- 
ible bewitching  of  their  judgment,  and  a  besotting  into 
most  strange  and  absurd  extravagancies  ;  yea,  how  tena- 
cious and^  violent  in  their  way,  when  silenced  with  the 
clearest  discoveries  of  the  truth  ;  yet  is  not  this  also  wit- 
nessed, there  is  a  righteous  God  giving  up  to  strong  delu- 
sion, in  which  Satan  is  let  loose  With  a  remarkable  power 
to  deceive.  2  Thcs.  ii.  12 .  O  how  dreadful  is  that  stroke 
which  is  inflicted  on  the  judgment  and  reason,  which  in 
some  respect  we  may  say  is  greater  than  that  which  is  on 
the  affections  !  (3.)  Find  we  not  the  scripture  by  a  clear 
prophetical  discovery  points  at  that  influence  human  au- 
thority, and  the  patrociny  of  such,  who  have  a  name  and 
repute  in  the  church,  should  have  on  the  corrupting  the 
doctrine  thereof  ?  And  therefore  does  the  Holy  Ghost  so 
particularly  guard  against  the  same,  and  oppose  the  author- 
ity of  the  written  word  to  the  highest  pretences  of  any  par- 
ty ;  that  here  an  apostle  must  not  be  admitted,  or  have 
credit,  to  the  truth's  prejudice  ;  not  an  angel,  yea,  not  a 
voice  from  heaven,  may  oppose  itself  to  this  more  sure  testi- 
viony  of  God  in  his  word.  (4.)  Is  it  not  here  even  in  that 
great  depth  of  error  we  see  this  truth  take  place,  deceiving 
and  being  deceived;  how  strangely  these  meet,  and  by  a 
marvellous  stroke  men's  judgment  made  captive  to  their 
will,  and  their  deliberate  acting  to  deceive  others  have  the 
same  effect  on  themselves.  (5.)  Thus  also  is  the  scripture 
made  out,  where  we  see  how  hardk  is  for  men  to  fix,  in 
such  a  way  ;  or  find  land,  when  they  are  once  carried  off 
the  truth,  and  do  launch  out  in  that  horrid  gulf  of  error  : 
but-  seducers  wax  worse  and  worse. 

Inference  V.  The  truth  of  God  revealed  in  the  scripture 
is  in  its  i?n-port  not  more  marvellous  and  great,  than  we 
may  say  is  clear  and  obvious  in  the  evidence  of  its  verifica- 
tion: which  hath  every  where  such  a  witness,  that  there 
can  be  no  escape  from  this  discovery,  but  if  men  will  not 
receive  its  testimony,  they  must  have  it  forced  on  them  as 


Appendix.  391 

fhcir  torment.  For  it  is  here  invention  doth  fail,  and  poli- 
tics are  found  too  weak,  to  ward  off  some  impression  of 
that,  which  with  an  awful  appearance  and  authority  does 
justify  itself  to  the  conscience,  without  their  consent ;  nor 
can  this  secure  them  from  that  lash  of  inward  terror,  which" 
will  make  these  tremble  alone,  when  they  seem  to  have 
confidence  before  others  \  but  this  advantage  the  truth  hath 
of  her  adversaries,  that  even  atheism  must  bear  a  %vitness 
thereto,  and  against  itself ;  which  if  men  would  but  weigh 
in  the  balance  of  sober  reason,  it  should  appear  a  sufficient 
antidote  against  its  own  poison,  and  a  great  seal  to  the 
scripture,  which  would  want  a  special  confirmation,  if  it 
wanted  such  an  adversary.  Now  to  clear  it  a  little  more, 
and  thus  shut  up  what  hath  been  on  this  subject  held  forth, 
I  must  in  behalf  of  the  glorious  truth  of  God  (which  in  ail 
ages  of  the  church  did  never  want  some,  discovery  ot'its  ac- 
complishment) attest  the  reproacbers  of  this  time,  who  are 
so  much  at  work  to  challenge  his  unspotted  way,  and  call 
in  question  his  faithfulness,  to  the  weakening  of  the  assent 
of  many  thereto,  and  do  appeal  them  to  that  tribunal  which 
the  great  God  hath  placed  in  the  conscience,  if  they  can 
without  doing  violence  thereto,  and  putting  out  the  eye  of 
reason,  withstand  the  clear  evidences  of  divine  truth,  and 
the  certainty  of  its  performance.  About  which  these  few 
tilings  I  shall  here  add, 

(1.)  If  it  be  the  great  pret vgative  of  God,  and  to  him 
alone  belongs  to  declare  things  from  the  beginning  to  the 
end,  and  hold  forth  the  various  and  most  remarkable  events 
which  should  fall  out  within  time,  with  their  proper  cir- 
cumstances, yea,  to  discover  the  great  revolutions  of  the 
world  through  all  the  ages  thereof,  when  second  causes  in 
their  remotest  tendency  thereto  could  noi  be  discerned  ; 
is  not  this  then  clear  and  undeniably  true  of  the  scripture  ? 
(2.)  As  to  sure  and  e*xact  performance  of  the  same,  I  must 
make  that -challenge  and  attestation,  which  that  great  ser- 
vant of  the  Lord  Joshua  did  in  such  a  case  (Josh,  xxiii. 
14.)  if  any  thing  'bath  hitherto  failed,  of  all  which  the 
Lord  hath  spoken  in  the  scripture  !  or  if  men  can  instance, 
what  special  prediction  or  promise  (which  to  this  day 
should  have  taken  place  in  the  season  thereof)  hath  miscar- 
ried, or  turned  abortive  ;  what  truth  wants  its  seal  and 
confirmation  ;  yea,  what  step  of  providence  can  you  point 
at,  which  does  not  qiiadrate  and  marvellously  accord  with 
meuiord?  I  challenge  an  instance.  But  this,  I  am  sure, 
men  must  see,  there  are  such  things  fallen  out  in  the  event, 
that  are  particularly  foretold  in  the  scripture  ;  so  strange 
and  marvellous,  that  in  an  ordinary  way  none  could  have 


$$2  appendix. 

believed,  which  they  now  see  with  their  own  eyes,  (3.) 
Do  you  not  see  the  written  word  as  a  bright  lantern  attend 
the  church,  from  the  very  porch  and  entry  of  time  in  all  her 
journey  ;  and  evidently  point  at  the  remarkable  times  and 
revolutions  of  her  case,  which  have  now  in  a  great  part 
gone  over  her  head  ?  Yea,  is  it  not  demonstratively  clear  ^ 
that  the  sun  doth  not  more  truly  shine  on  this  terrestrial 
globe,  than  the  scripture  shineth,  and  doth  illuminate  the 
whole  frame  and  structure  of  Providence  :  and  in  all  those 
strange  parts  which  are  acted  in  the  world,  most  certainly 
takes  place  ;  that  there  is  none  can  walk  at  random,  or  by 
his  own  counsel  direct  and  stear  his  course  !  But  though  it 
is  marvellous,  it  is  sure  also,  that  the  innumerable  millions 
of  men,  who  are  this  day  upon  earth,  in  all  their  various 
motions,  are  at  present  fulfilling  the  determined  counsel  of 
God;  and  their  actings  (whatever  they  design  therein)  must 
be  concentric  with  his  great  end,  norout  of  that  boundscan 
they  possibly  move.  (4.)  I  must  attest  the  world,  if  they 
do  not  see,  this  way  of  godliness,  which  seems  to  day  to  be 
every  where  spoken  against,  to  be  that  good  and  old  way, 
in  which  are  the  footsteps  of  the  saints  to  be  found  since  the 
beginning  ;  and  that  it  is  no  new  light  now  broke  out  in 
the  world  :  but  it  is  clear,  through  all  ages  past  there  hath 
not  wanted  a  continued  succession  of  these,  who  in  this  re- 
proached way  did  serve  the  God  of  their  fathers  ;  and  have 
sealed  the  truth,  which  now,  from  one  time  to  another,  we 
find  still  delivered  off  their  hands,  to  the  present  gener- 
ation. And  I  here  challenge  the  greatest  atheists,  f 
which  of  the  saints  can  they  turn,  or  whom  can  they  in- 
stance of  that  blessed  company,  since  there  was  a  church 
in  the  earth,  who  could  never  contradict  this,  or  bear  anoth- 
er witness  !  (£.)  Must  you  not  confess,  there  is  no  such 
deep  in  the  heart  of  man,  or  so  close  and  subtile  a  convoy  of 
wickedness  there,  which  is  not  found  out  m  the  scripture, 
and  there  pointed  at  ;  and  that  none  can  get  themselves 
hid,  or  get  beyond  the  reach  of  this,  in  those  things  which 
they  are  sure  the  observing  world  could  never  know  :  but 
the  most  secret  haunts  of  their  soul  are  unveiled,  which 
from  their  dearest  friend  they  have  concealed.  (6.)  Can 
this  demonstration  of  the  scripture,  and  so  manifest  a  wit- 
ness thereto  be  denied,  that  whilst  man  is  a  free  agent  in 
his  actions,  and  doth  therein  act  spontaneously,  he  hath 
notwithstanding  of  this  in  his  own  breast  both  a  judge,  and 
accuser  ;  which,  though  within  him,  doth  without  his  con- 
sent exercise  a  power  over  him,  and  such  an  authority 
which  he  would,  yet  cannot  decline  ?  (7.)  I  dare  attest, 
the  conscience  of  men,  who  are  themselves  strangers  i& 


Appendix.  393 

the  way  Of  Goc,  if  they  can  so  far  shut  their  eyes,  but  they 
must  see  that  serious  godliness  is  a  marvellous  thing,  and 
that  there  is  something  here  above  nature,  which  by  its  ef- 
fects on  others,  may  shew  a  divine  spirit  and  power ;  that, 
wherever  it  comes,  makes  so  great  a  change,  and  one  to  ex- 
ceed  another  most  discernibly,  though  of  the  same  parts  ; 
that  suits  and  does  accommodate  itself  to  the  various  con- 
ditions and  employments  of  men  ;  it  puts  a  special  honour 
on  the  greatest  prince,  and  does  instruct  the  wise  and  pru- 
dentj  yet  will  it  lodge  with  the  poorest  artificer  in  his  shop, 
or  labouring  man  in  the  field  !  And  does  it  not  also  ap- 
pear, that  here  must  be  a  native  motion  unconstrained  and 
from  inward  principles,  when  on  outward  grounds  there  is 
not  the  least  incitement ;  which  shews  it  is  a  living  thing, 
that  hath  its  discernible  languishing  and  wearing  out,  and 
its  more  vigorous  actings,  as  well  as  any  living  man  !  It  is 
strange,  the  report  of  this  is  not  matter  of  astonishment  ; 
to  bring  men  once  to  question,  if  such  an  account  as  others 
give  of  this  marvellous  thing  (religion J  can  be  true  ;  how 
it  is  here,  the  christian's  joy  is  sown  by  weeping,  and  his 
tears  the  seed  whencegladness  of  heart-breaks  forth  ;  how 
sweet  that  rest  is,  which  is  found  in  his  work  and  labour ; 
and  with  his  sowing  to  the  spirit \  the  harvest  then  begins, 
in  a  present  reaping  :  and  his  laying  forth  himself,  with  a 
giving  of  the  heart  unto  God,  does  enrich  the  giver  by 
such  a  gift :  yea,  that  here  men  should  differ  so  much 
when  alone  with  God  and  brought  near  him,  from  what 
they  are  at  other  times ;  and  in  those  retirements  of  their 
suul,  have  that  discovery  and  conception  of  the  truth, 
which  is  not  to  be  found  in  turning  over  the  voluminous 
tractates  of  the  greatest  writers.  (.8.)  If  men  have  any  se- 
rious reflection,  and  do  not  shut  up  the  bible,  can  they 
shun  this  remark  thereof  ?  How  well  it  answers  the  various 
successions  of  time,  and  so  marvellous  a  variety  of  things, 
that  are  so  many  ages  distant  from  other  ;  yea,  that  all 
along  there  is  a  gradual  discovery,  and  breaking  outof  the 
gospel,  in  the  several  times  of  the  church  ;  where  it  is  easy 
to  discern  the  antiquity  of  this  excellent  record,  and  so 
great  a  distance  of  time  betwixt  the  penmen  thereof,  yet  in 
its  composure  is  one  entire  piece,  so  connex  and  closely 
knit  together,  that  men  may  see  the  same  spirit ^  in  the 
whole,  and  in  each  part  thereof,  moving  and  carrying  for- 
ward one  great  design  !  (9.)  I  shall  but  further  add,  if  re- 
ligion  hath  a  being  and  reality,  which  men  cannot  lose  the 
sense  of,  and  deny,  without  falling  so  far  below  reason,  in- 
to the  condition  of  the  beasts,  must  there  not  be  a  rule  al- 
so ?  For  it  is  easy  to  judge,  ia  what  a  strange  andmon- 
itl 


394  Appendix. 

strOus  shape  this  would  appear,  were  it  left  to  the  choice 
and  arbitrement  of  men.  Now  let  the  most  professed  athe- 
ists turn  their  eyes  through  the  whole  earth,  and  in  a  calm 
and  sober  composure  of  spirit  but  judge,  if  there  be  any 
thing  more  absurd \  and  to  astonishment  irrational,  than 
that  face  and  appearance,  which  religion  hath  amongst 
those  where  this  excellent  rule  of  the  scripture  is  not  own- 
ed. Yea,  could  these  subject  themselves  to  such  extrava- 
gancies, and  therein  turn  so  mad,  without  a  divine  stroke 
on  their  Judgment  and  reason,  which  the  righteous  God,  In 
verification  of  his  wordy  inflicts  on  such  as  do  even  shut 
their  ears  from  the  report  of  the  truth,  the  sound  whereof 
goes  forth  through  the  -earth  J  And  here  I  challenge  men, 
though  strangers  themselves  to  serious  religion,  if  at  a  dis- 
tance it  doth  not  appear,  how  great  a  difference  there  is  be- 
twixt those  parts  of  the  world,  where  the  gospel  shines  in  its 
power,  and  the  rest  of  the  nations. 


Doddridge  s  Family  Expositor, 


PROPOSALS, 
by  S.  ETHERIDGE,  for  PUBLISHING  by 

SUBSCRIPTION, 


THE 


FAMILY  EXPOSITOR. 

OR 

4  PARAPHRASE  AND  VERSION 

OF  THE 

New  Testament; 

WITH  CRITICAL  NOTES, 
AND  A  PRACTICAL  IMPROVEMENT  OF  EACH  SECTION, 

CONTAINING  THE 

fflSTORT  OF  OUR  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST, 
AS  RECORDED  BY  THE  FOUR  EVANGELISTS. 

DISPOSED  IN  THE  ORDER  OF  AN  HARMONY, 

By  P.  DODDRIDGE,  D.  D. 
FROM  THE  EIGHTH  LONDON  EDITION. 

TO   WHICH    IS   BREFIXED, 

A  LIFE  OF  THE  AUTHOR, 

By  ANDREW  KIPPIS,  D.  D.  F.  R.  S.  and  S.  A. 


ClFthe  numberless  Divines,  who,  by  their  admirable 
works,  have  promoted  the  cause  of  Christianity,  it  may  be 
questioned,  if  any  have  excelled  Dr.  Doddridge.  His 
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crn  literature,  whence  his  piety,  though  always  fervent, 
never  "degenerates  into  enthusiasm.  Aware  that  learning 
was  the  best  substitute  for  that  inspiration,  whieh  ceased 
with  the  Apostles,  he  early  studied  with  diligence,  the 
Greek  and  Roman  classics,  and  exercised  his  critical  tal- 
ents on  Homer,  as  preparatory  to  the  profound  investiga- 
tion of  the  Holy  Scriptures.  Though  correct  and  ortho- 
dox in  his  own  faith,  he  was  charitable  toward  those  who 
dissented  from  him.  He  was  beloved  and  respected  by 
Christians  of  all  denominations  j  by  his  own  countrymeri 
and  by  foreigners,  by  the  wealthy  and  the  poor,  by  the 
Episcopalian  and  the  Dissenter,  by  the  mitred  dignitary 
and  the  village  curate ,'  such  was  the  mildness  of  his  spirit, 
the  fervor  of  his  piety,  and  the  extent  of  his  knowledge. 
His  valuable  works  have  been  translated  into  most  Euro- 
pean languages,  and  been  admired  m  proportion  as  they 
have  been  read. 

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